|  By Elizabeth Pantley,
author of Perfect Parenting and Kid Cooperation
As parents, we naturally
love our child with all our heart, and it tears us apart if our child doesn’t
love himself. Many people assume that there’s little they can do to change this
situation, when actually, parents can have a tremendous affect on how a child
sees himself. Here are some practical ideas: Question:
I’m beginning to suspect that my child’s negative behavior is due to a lack
of self confidence and low self esteem. How do I help him feel good about himself? Think
about it: It’s routine to teach kids how to read, write and even how
to paint or how to run the dishwasher. It’s not customary to teach kids how to
nurture their own self-esteem, though it’s the most important thing they can learn.
Love is the wind beneath
their wings: The foundation for healthy self-esteem is the feeling
of unconditional love and approval a child feels from his parents. As children
navigate the rocky road to adulthood, they need large, obvious doses of this kind
of love. Make sure you’re showing your child this kind of love on a daily basis.
Say it with your words, your actions, and your heart.
Skills boost esteem: Help your child discover
his talents and the things he’s good at. Allow him to try various sports, hobbies
and activities. Encourage him to apply himself to those things he enjoys and seems
skilled at. Accomplishment builds self-confidence. Self-confidence builds self-esteem. Being
helpful equals being confident: Assign your child household chores.
Chores help a child feel like a capable, responsible member of the family. Doing
chores promotes a feeling of being trusted, skilled and important. Life’s
lessons: Don’t hover, protect and rescue your child. Let him learn
through his trials, his struggles, and his mistakes. A child’s greatest sense
of accomplishment comes through personal effort, and personal success. Praise,
praise, praise: Compliment your child daily using sincere and specific
praise. A child creates an image of himself largely through input from others,
especially his parents. When you notice something worth praising, use descriptive
statements to compliment your child such as, "You sure stuck with that project
until it was complete. That takes persistence and stamina!"
Choose
your words carefully: You may have heard your parents say,
"What is the matter with you?" or "Can’t you ever remember?" and
now you repeat it to your child without much thought to the punch behind the words.
But think about what your words are saying, and find alternatives that more clearly
describe your intended meaning.
Teach positive thinking:
Help your child develop a more positive way of looking at life. Gently correct
his pessimistic statements. When he says, "I can’t do it." Respond, "Take
your time and try again, I have confidence in you." If he mutters, "I’m so
clumsy. I’ll never learn to roller blade." Say, "It’s tough to learn something
new. Remember how much you fell when you first put on skis? Now you’re a better
skier than I am!" |
