Mocking is Not Loving
The way that school bullies made you feel when they mocked or teased you shouldn’t be how you feel around your parents. Insulting, mocking, or teasing can create a wave of repressed anger and frustration in children – and that’s certainly not the feelings parents want their kids to feel toward them.
Playful jokes are a great and healthy way of strengthening parents’ and children’s bond, but crossing the line from playfulness to mockery can be dangerous. No one wants to feel like they live with a bully, and even though you might think your jokes are full of good intentions, your child may not see it that way.