Raising children requires us to be incredibly serious and responsible about what we say to them. Even a seemingly harmless word or action can leave a big scar that won’t be forgotten, even as they grow up. The stories shared by online users here perfectly illustrate those moments when parents, knowingly or unknowingly, damaged their children’s trust.
We hope these stories encourage all parents to listen to their children, trust them, and let them express their opinions openly.
A Mother Who Wasn’t There
My mom has written several books and is now quite successful. When I was younger, she used to stay in her room writing all the time. I missed her and often had to play by myself. One day, I picked up one of her books and saw the dedication: ‘Dedicated to my daughter, I’m sorry you didn’t have a mother in your life.’ It’s moving, but at this point, I don’t feel anything anymore.
A Privacy Violation
I had a diary where I wrote short stories about typical teenage topics like relationships and first loves. I only let my close friend read them. One day, I found out that my mom had read them without my permission and even mocked my writing skills. That was the moment I learned what shame and hatred really felt like.
The Lost Watch
When I was about 8 or 9, my grandma’s gold watch went missing. My family suspected me and interrogated me intensely. They didn’t believe me when I said I didn’t know where it was. Finally, I lied and said I gave it to a classmate to stop the torment. This lie led to more trouble and further shattered my trust in them. A week later, my grandma found the watch, but nobody apologized to me.
The Unappreciated Art
As a child, I loved drawing and attended art school. I often created drawings for my mom, believing she kept them all. One day, I saw her throwing them away. My world shook, and I eventually dropped out of art school and stopped drawing entirely. I’m still haunted by that moment and struggle to start new creative projects.
The Amusement Park Disappointment
At around 8 or 9, I attended a singing class with a boy named Mike, who would often insult girls. One day, our moms took us to an amusement park, where we rode a small train. We agreed Mike would go first, and I’d go second. But when my turn came, Mike refused to move. Instead of supporting me, my mom yelled at me to ride next to him or not at all. This hurt deeply, and even now, at almost 22, the memory makes me want to cry.
The Broken Promise
When I was about 12, I played a lot of video games. My mom made a bet with me to give up computer games for three months in exchange for $300, which I could spend as I wished. I accepted and spent the summer playing outside. However, at the end of the summer, my mom didn’t give me the money. She claimed she’d already spent too much on me. This was the moment I stopped trusting her.
The Missing Savings
In the early 2000s, when I was about 8-10 years old, I wanted a LEGO toy. I started saving my pocket money in a secure place. Before the school year began, I discovered my savings were gone. My mom had taken it to buy school supplies and didn’t plan to return it or apologize. This caused me to lose trust in my parents completely.
Reflecting on these stories, one can see how easily children’s trust can be broken through seemingly small actions. Trust is a fragile thing, and parents must nurture it carefully.
