Photo Deviant Art by:Astrals

Instilling self esteem is one of a parent’s most important tasks. Self esteem is how we feel about ourselves. Parents are one of if not the most important influencers of their children’s self esteem.

We all want our children to have high self esteem and there is a lot we can do to encourage our children to have a positive view of themselves. It starts as soon as we bring our little bundle of joy home from the hospital.

Parents who respond to their children’s cries are teaching them that their wants and needs matter and that they are important. This does not mean that each time you put them down for a nap and baby cries you need to pick them up. Some babies routinely cry themselves to sleep. Parents develop an uncanny ability to differentiate between babies cries of distress, hunger and fatigue.

Children who are hugged, comforted, touched, talked to, and loved understand that they are important. Parents who do not provide these basic needs for their children teach them that they are not important. These children can develop feelings of low self worth and hopelessness, which could damage their self esteem.

Allow children opportunities to succeed. Enroll them in sports, music, dance or other activities you think they might like or those they have expressed an interest in trying. Above all, accept your child as a person and for their unique abilities and interests.

Look for opportunities to praise your child whenever possible. Try, and find them doing something right. Never call your children names or demean them this will encourage low self esteem and feelings of worthlessness.

Children with poor self esteem are more likely to make high risk choices like drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and delinquent behaviors. Sometimes, even with the best parenting skills children may choose the wrong path. Parents can encourage a positive outcome with their children but cannot control the outcome. Using the parenting skills discussed will decrease the likelihood of your child choosing the wrong path.

There are many resources in North Atlanta to choose from so please see the links below. If you would like to be notified when I publish a new article then go to the top of the page and click on the suscribe button.  This is a brand new column so I will be adding more articles and resources frequently.  Please click on comment with any special requests for articles or to comment on any article.

 Parenting tips and advice column

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Boost confidence for kids

www.toolkitsforkids.com

Wings 

wingsforkids.org/

Schools and educational resources North Atlanta fostering self-esteem

www.bestinatlanta.com/baby.html

Recreation and sports North Atlanta

local.yahoo.com