Maria Luisa Salcines | MLSalcines@aol.com
Article from http://www.themonitor.com/opinion/columnists/
Raising a self-confident child can be tricky because sometimes in the name of making our child feel loved we overprotect, and make life too easy for our children.
Self-worth is what allows a person to be happy and pursue success. It lays the foundation for your future by giving you the confidence to succeed in school, persevere when times are difficult, and form healthy relationships.
Self-confidence is gained through years of unconditional love. Think of your children as a bucket of water you are filling that needs constant refilling because the water overflows.
Children are developing and changing on a daily basis, they can never hear the words “I love you” often enough. Your unconditional love has to always be a constant in their life.
Loving your child and telling him he is loved only when he behaves does not help a child gain self-confidence.
Children need to know that even when they make mistakes and choices you disagree with, they are still loved.
Parents need to encourage their child to try new things; they need to give their child freedom within healthy boundaries so that he can have the courage to try new things.
Trying new things and failing is what teaches a child to persevere. As much as it hurts
a parent to see their child sad, this learning process is an important part of life.
Parents who pamper and protect their children do more harm than good.
Helping your child gain a sense of self-worth is a slow process that continues throughout your child’s life.
Parents can help their children by teaching them responsibility. Give your children chores, and hold them accountable for their grades and behavior.
Show your children that you are proud of them. Make the effort to attend all of their school functions, especially when they get older. Teens often pretend they don’t care, but you’d be surprised how good it makes them feel when you show interest in the things they are involved with.
Listen to your children and try to learn how to communicate and fit in their world. Parents build a wall between their children when they are constantly talking about the past or about how they used to do things.
Be open to learning new things and they will be more open to letting you into their lives.
Regardless of how big or small, always celebrate your children’s accomplishments.
Allow your children to express their opinions in a respectful way. Sometimes we tell them we want them to talk to us, but when they do we don’t listen and are quick to give our opinion.
Advice is great, but sometimes listening is more important. When you allow your children to express their feelings you are letting them know that their thoughts matter.
Raising children is a challenge and parents you will make mistakes. When you do, don’t hesitate to apologize.
A parent-child relationship built on love, acceptance, and trust can always be mended.
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Maria Luisa Salcines is a freelance writer, and certified parent educator with The International Network for Children and Families in Redirecting Children’s Behavior and Redirecting for a Cooperative Classroom. Follow her on Twitter @PowerOfFamily or contact her at her website at www.redirectingchildrenrgv.org.Article from http://www.themonitor.com/opinion/columnists/
