| There are 2 major qualities that practically define a | | | | The way a child meets challenges has a direct impact |
| person and how far they will go in life. These traits are | | | | on both their confidence and self-esteem. |
| confidence and self-esteem. Someone who lacks | | | | A parent shouldn't call out the negatives they see in |
| these two qualities will often fail to succeed in life, and | | | | everyone around them. They should be thankful that |
| become what is called a "loser". No one wants to be a | | | | their child and life is sound and healthy, without giving |
| loser, but they do exist in society today, just as they | | | | the child the impression that they are "better" than a |
| have existed for hundreds of years. People with low | | | | less fortunate child or family. A false sense of intrinsic |
| confidence and self-esteem often have problems | | | | worth based on the misfortune of others can lead to |
| holding down a job, have little ambition or drive, and are | | | | low confidence and self-esteem later in life. |
| generally a drain upon society. Building a persons | | | | If the parents have given their child a task to do, and |
| confidence and self-esteem starts when they are | | | | they complete it well, praise them! A parent must be |
| very young, with their parents and home life. | | | | consistent, however, and be sure that you really mean |
| Helping Your Child Succeed - Confidence and | | | | it. Few things can hurt a child's confidence and |
| Self-Esteem Building | | | | self-esteem like hearing their parent talking about how |
| Everyone has challenges. How a person deals with | | | | bad they performed a task to another person, after |
| those challenges stems from how they learned to deal | | | | the same parent gave the child praise for a task well |
| with problems when they were young. And learning to | | | | done. If a parent's child is not performing as well as |
| meet these challenges head-on, and build confidence | | | | they should be, don't criticize and be nasty about the |
| and self-esteem, starts when a person is young. Here | | | | child's shortcomings. Rather, the parent try to explain |
| are some tips for parents to help build their child's | | | | how they could be doing better in specific areas, while |
| confidence and self-esteem. | | | | still pointing out the things the child is doing well. All this |
| 1. Acknowledge the Good | | | | leads to greater confidence, and thus, self-esteem. |
| There is nothing worse for a child's confidence and | | | | 3. Take an Active Role |
| self-esteem than coming home from school with their | | | | A parent should always do their best to participate in |
| shiny "A" or completed school project, and having a | | | | their child's life. Parents, go to after-school activities! |
| parent display no enthusiasm or give no praise. If your | | | | Watch their performances! Cheer them on! A child |
| child accomplishes something good, let them know! | | | | who sees his parents don't care about something will |
| Frame that report card, or medal, or whatever. Show | | | | wonder both why he or she should care, and why his |
| that it means something, both to you and your child, | | | | or her parents don't care about them like the other kids |
| when they do something well. Not only will this build the | | | | parents do. This can be a major blow to a child's |
| child's confidence and self-esteem, but looking at last | | | | confidence, self-esteem, and drive. |
| semester's report card and remembering the praise, or | | | | It all Comes Back to the Parents |
| the dinner out, or however you rewarded your child, | | | | If a parent gives their child the kind of attention and |
| can give them the drive to do it again next semester. | | | | love discussed above, then their child will be successful. |
| 2. Reinforce the Positive | | | | High confidence and self-esteem are absolutely vital in |
| A positive take on life on the parents part directly | | | | preparing a child for the future. Don't condemn them to |
| translates to their childrens' outlooks. A parent who is | | | | a life of mediocrity and therapy sessions, get involved, |
| pessimistic and acts beaten by life will instill those | | | | show support and love, and the rest will follow |
| values as easily as a parent with sunny outlooks, even | | | | naturally. |
| in the face of life challenges, instill that in their children. | | | | |