"No" is a negative word. Hearing this word from someone can be disappointing. What more if the "No" comes from parents?

Of course, it will still be disappointing for kids to hear "No." However, experts say that not agreeing to everything that a child would say can do good not only to parents but to the kids as well.

Why can't parents say NO?

There are several reasons why saying no is a little difficult for parents.

Guilt

Dr. David Walsh, the author of the books, No: Why Kids - Of All Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It, once said in an interview with Scholastic Parents that he sees parents feel guilty for not spending enough time with their kids. Hence, they could not say "No" to their kids. Walsh believes that parents have become busy overtime that spending lesser time with their kids makes them guilty.

Purchasing Power

Parents who can afford to buy the things that the kids want do not find any issue in saying yes all the time. Some parents are also under the impression that their kids deserve everything that they want.

Afraid of depriving their kids

Some parents, who felt deprived in their younger years, tend not to want their children to feel that way. Hence, they want to make sure that their children will be able to enjoy more than they did.

Why should parents say NO?

Experts believe that saying no is good for parents too. Here are the reasons why:

It could reinforce family values

When a parent says no, the child gets an idea about what his or her parent values. Moreso, the child understands what is more important and what is the priority.

To show that one cannot always have what they want

Parents saying not to kids are showing these little ones that there are things in this world that they can never have, or they can only have if they will work hard for it.

Saying "No" establishes limits

When parents are firm and consistent with the "no" that they give, kids will eventually understand and accept the limits that you put out there.

Experts say it okay to say "NO."

As good as it gets for parents, children get something out of saying no as well.

Helps build resourcefulness

Every time a child receives a "no" from parents, her or she finds ways to work on personal disappointments and try to do something else.

Children become more determined

When children keep on trying other ways, they will realize that there could be no dead ends. They keep on going with whatever it is that they would like to accomplish.

Self-esteem is developed

When parents encourage their children to do something, they are also helping these kids to build self-esteem. The disappointments from hearing no from their parents can help kids believe in themselves more.