Self Esteem Builders: Boosting Your Children's Self Esteem
Self esteem starts to develop during the early stages of life. As children, it is very important that they gain self esteem so as to exude confidence once they go out on their own in the outside world. Here are some self esteem builders that may help you boost your children's self esteem.
Hugs And Kisses
You need to constantly show and let your children feel your love for them. Other than saying the words I love you, bombarding them with hugs and kisses can also do the trick. This will give them the impression that somebody in this world loves them and that somebody thinks he or she is very important. Hugs and kisses are very effective self esteem builders for children.
Listen To Your Children
Often times, parents don't listen to their children and their opinions anymore thinking that the words of the parents are absolute nearing infallibility. But doing this will only lower the level of self esteem your children have. Even at a young age, they can already formulate their own opinions and ideas. As parents, it is your responsibility to listen to and validate these opinions whether they are wrong or right. It is very important that you never dismiss their ideas. Instead, as a self esteem builder, you should acknowledge them.
Stop Comparing
It is sometimes the instinct of parents to compare children to other children. "Kevin is much better in Math than you are" or "Anna has better grades than you do" are just some examples of statements that parents say to their children. These are acts of comparing and are not good self esteem builders. In fact, comparing your children to other children in a negative way will lower their self esteem. That is why as much as possible, you should try to refrain from doing this to your children. It would be better to acknowledge what they can do.
Praise Your Children
Why is it so easy for parents to scold their children when they commit a mistake but is very difficult for them to give praises if their children have done something good? This is one of the factors that can decrease the level of your children's self esteem. If you want to boost your children's self esteem, you should once in a while give praises to the things that your children have done correctly. This self esteem builder is very effective to children.
However, this does not mean that if your children do something wrong you won't reprimand, and then forgive, them anymore. Of course you should still reprimand them but do not forget to also give praises when the situation calls for it.
