By Cheng Cheng Tan

On the other hand, a child who lacks self-esteem will be constantly seeking for approval by his parents and peers before he tries anything new. There is fear within him that he may not be accepted by others around him.

Here are some tips to build self confidence in the child:

- Encourage the child to do things on his own. It does not matter even if he does it wrongly(as long as he is in a safe environment). The most important thing is to let him try and he will definitely gain confidence after gaining some success.

- Focus on his strengths and not his weakness. It is understandable that as parents that we want the best for our children. However, we have to be aware that every child is special and different. Though Mathematics is very important, the child may not like it at all. Instead of forcing him to sit down and listen, try to incorporate Maths with something that he likes e.g. music. This will lower his resistance towards learning Maths and he may think of better ideas to learn maths with music too. You never know how creative they can be.

-Praise your child when he does something well. Children are constantly looking for approval. Parents are usually critical because it is easier to point out mistakes. Just be aware and remember that children (just like anybody else) prefer to listen to positive things.

-Differentiate the child from his behaviour. If parents are unhappy with the childs behaviour, tell the child. We need to reinforce that we still love the child but not the behaviour.

-Do not criticize. Criticism can greatly diminish confidence. It is easy for parents to say 'See, I told you not to do that and now you are dirty all over.' We need to remind ourselves constantly that everytime we diminish their self-esteem, it will take us a lot more effort to restore it. Or even worse, we leave it as it is and the child will hesitate to do new things in future. If you have nothing good to say, it is better not to say anything. Talk to children about their mistake in a positive way.

-What is your first reaction when you see your child in your room full of lipstick on his lips and all your lipsticks are spoilt? Will you start screaming at him? Most of us would. Then you would have fallen into their trap. What should you do then? Make them clean up the mess, even if it takes half the day. The child have to pay for the lipsticks by either not having a new toy or no Macdonalds for the next two months. Screaming at them does not really help as they already feel frightened when they know you have found out the truth. Let them learn that they have to be responsible for what they do. If they can come up with their own punishment (which you are agreeable to), that would be better.

-One of the easiest way is to hang up their pictures on the wall so that visitors can take a look at them too. Encourage them to take about the story or idea behind the picture. If your kids are older, you could embark on a project to write a storybook. The child could write on a short chapter a week. They can also hang up short articles or jokes on the wall.

-Communicate with your child as much as possible. You will need to know what they are feeling and thinking before you can decide on the next course of action. Most parents spend time and money attending courses to find out about how to deal with their children when the most important thing they need to do is to spend more time with them.

-Help children to find their own interest and build on it. Try not to emphasize on perfection and competition. Instead focus on doing their best and enjoying the process. The process is just as important ,if not more important than the result. Children will realize that there are so many things to learn on the way which are so valuable to them.

Find out how parenting can be fun and easy at http://www.raisingconfidentkids.com

Cheng Cheng is an Asia mother(Singaporean) with two boys age about four and five. I have learnt a lot from them and other parents. Find out more about how parenting can be fun and easy at http://www.raisingconfidentkids.com

Tags: Childs Self Confidence, Self Esteem

By Cheng Cheng Tan

On the other hand, a child who lacks self-esteem will be constantly seeking for approval by his parents and peers before he tries anything new. There is fear within him that he may not be accepted by others around him.

Here are some tips to build self confidence in the child:

- Encourage the child to do things on his own. It does not matter even if he does it wrongly(as long as he is in a safe environment). The most important thing is to let him try and he will definitely gain confidence after gaining some success. He will gain confidence and want to try out more and do more. He becomes aware that he can do more if he tries and my even make some mistakes.

- Focus on his strengths and not his weakness. It is understandable that as parents that we want the best for our children. However, we have to be aware that every child is special and different. Though Mathematics is very important, the child may not like it at all. Instead of forcing him to sit down and listen, try to incorporate Maths with something that he likes e.g. music. This will lower his resistance towards learning Maths and he may think of better ideas to learn maths with music too. You never know how creative they can be.

-Praise your child when he does something well. Children are constantly looking for approval. Parents are usually critical because it is easier to point out mistakes. Just be aware and remember that children (just like anybody else) prefer to listen to positive things.

-Differentiate the child from his behaviour. If parents are unhappy with the childs behaviour, tell the child. We need to reinforce that we still love the child but not the behaviour. The child needs to know that parents still love them after being punished. Children do not mind being being punished because they did something wrongly but they need to know that their parents still love them. Tell your kids that you love them and do not assume they know. Tell them that you love them even when you punish them.

-Let him learn a new skill when he is ready. These include learning to use the scissors, needle up to learning multiplication tables. Different skills builds the childs confidence in different areas of his life. We need to build up his social skills on how to make friends, motor skills as in how to use the scissors, fork and knife. Others include literacy skills and numeracy skill. Each has to be taken one step at a time. This includes letting him try new things.

-Create chances for them to speak up in front of the family. This can help in public speaking and their confidence in public in general. Start by doing this at home. Once they can overcome the fear of speaking in front of the family, you can extend to your friends and relatives. Start somewhere. You could even let them start by talking to another sibling or in the toilet. Encourage them to speak up and you can learn about what they are thinking about as well.

Try out these tips first!

Cheng Cheng is a parenting expert with with two boys age 5 and 6. She has learnt a lot form books and other mothers. She hopes to share her experiences and knowledge which will definitely be useful to you. For more tips on parenting and raising kids, go to http://www.raisingconfidentkids.com

Tags: Build Confidence, Self Esteem

By KC Smith

Separation Anxiety creates a negative cycle for children, as they are liable to feel more anxious as a result of low self-esteem and may, in turn, feel bad about being so anxious. That is one of the reasons parents need to strive not to belittle children for their Separation Anxiety. Rather than explaining to the child what he 'should' be feeling, let him know that you recognize what he is feeling. Reassure him that you will return and that he is safe in the environment. This self-esteem issue may grow if a child is receiving treatment for Separation Anxiety Disorder or is missing a lot of school as a result of these fearful feelings. Again, the parent needs to reassure the child and find ways to improve feelings of self-worth.

There are a variety of activities that can be used to raise self-esteem. Simply taking notice of something the child has done well and complimenting him on it can be helpful. Children with low self-esteem often find it difficult to accept compliments or to recognize their own positive traits, so the adults need to help them discover good things about themselves. Teaching the child to use positive self talk can help him to better recognize and accept those good traits. It is also helpful to teach him new skills that are age appropriate, so he sees his ability to be successful at new tasks. You should, of course, offer encouragement through each stage of the learning process and show your pride as he accomplishes his goals.

Giving your child an opportunity to make his own decisions can also improve his self-esteem. Allow him a voice in making decisions, and respect the choice he makes. Ask him questions like, 'Would you like to wear your red shirt or your blue shirt.' When he answers, agree with his choice by saying something like, 'Yes, this red shirt is very pretty.' You might give older children a choice for dinner and let them help you prepare the meal. The theme here, of course, is to praise your child for his accomplishments. Make sure you do it realistically, though. Children have a way of knowing when you are praising them just for the sake of it, and you also dont want to give them unrealistic expectations. It is great to commend your child for the A he got on his spelling test, but if he is a B student, dont tell him hes so smart that he will be getting all As. When his next test comes back with a B, he will be disappointed in his effort.

Learn how to beat your own childs separation anxiety with The Separation Anxiety Solution at: http://www.separation-anxiety-solution.com

Tags: Child Separation Anxiety, Self Esteem

By Cheng Cheng Tan

On the other hand, a child who lacks self-esteem will be constantly seeking for approval by his parents and peers before he tries anything new. There is fear within him that he may not be accepted by others around him.

Here are some tips to build self confidence in the child:

- Encourage the child to do things on his own. It does not matter even if he does it wrongly(as long as he is in a safe environment). The most important thing is to let him try and he will definitely gain confidence after gaining some success. He will gain confidence and want to try out more and do more. He becomes aware that he can do more if he tries and my even make some mistakes.

- Focus on his strengths and not his weakness. It is understandable that as parents that we want the best for our children. However, we have to be aware that every child is special and different. Though Mathematics is very important, the child may not like it at all. Instead of forcing him to sit down and listen, try to incorporate Maths with something that he likes e.g. music. This will lower his resistance towards learning Maths and he may think of better ideas to learn maths with music too. You never know how creative they can be.

-Praise your child when he does something well. Children are constantly looking for approval. Parents are usually critical because it is easier to point out mistakes. Just be aware and remember that children (just like anybody else) prefer to listen to positive things.

-Differentiate the child from his behaviour. If parents are unhappy with the childs behaviour, tell the child. We need to reinforce that we still love the child but not the behaviour. The child needs to know that parents still love them after being punished. Children do not mind being being punished because they did something wrongly but they need to know that their parents still love them. Tell your kids that you love them and do not assume they know. Tell them that you love them even when you punish them.

-Let him learn a new skill when he is ready. These include learning to use the scissors, needle up to learning multiplication tables. Different skills builds the childs confidence in different areas of his life. We need to build up his social skills on how to make friends, motor skills as in how to use the scissors, fork and knife. Others include literacy skills and numeracy skill. Each has to be taken one step at a time. This includes letting him try new things.

-Create chances for them to speak up in front of the family. This can help in public speaking and their confidence in public in general. Start by doing this at home. Once they can overcome the fear of speaking in front of the family, you can extend to your friends and relatives. Start somewhere. You could even let them start by talking to another sibling or in the toilet. Encourage them to speak up and you can learn about what they are thinking about as well.

Try out these tips first!

Cheng Cheng is a parenting expert with with two boys age 5 and 6. She has learnt a lot form books and other mothers. She hopes to share her experiences and knowledge which will definitely be useful to you. For more tips on parenting and raising kids, go to http://www.raisingconfidentkids.com

Tags: Build Confidence, Self Esteem

By Jenny Gill

1. Do I have to rearrange my whole life to home-school my child

2. What if the experiment fails?

3. Have I disrupted my life and wasted a year of my childs time and then what if my child is kept back a grade by the local public school.

The answers to your concerns are, can you risk not trying? Isnt your childs future worth the risk? If you see that your child is getting a bad education in public school, the worst thing to do is nothing. Then there is no chance of improvement. If you leave your children in public school, chances are great that their ability to read, self-esteem, and love of learning may be damaged, and they can waste twelve years of their lives.

Look at the potential consequences to your child if you dont try other education alternatives. The real question is this: Is good enough, good enough for your child? Your child is unique and precious. He or she is born with a love of learning and a unique potential. Your childs love of learning, self-confidence, and potential can be squashed in the rigid atmosphere of public schools. Is a third-rate public-school education good enough for your child? If you could give your child a rich, fun, rewarding education that will make your childs mind and future blossom, isnt that worth the risk of trying?

The potential high cost of education doesnt have to stop you anymore, If the only problem is money because you cant afford $8000 a year private schools, then happily there is a great new option for you–Internet private schools. These schools are low-cost and can give your child a fun, quality, and rewarding education. Many of these schools cost less than $850 a year tuition, which is less than $85 a month for a ten-month school year. While no one can guarantee you success, like anything else in life, if you keep trying, you will probably succeed in giving your child a great education at home. If you say to yourself, 'I will make this work, for my childs sake,' youll be surprised at what you can accomplish, particularly if you accept that 'Failure is not an option.'

Author: Jenny Gill is an international author with vast experience in a diverse range of subjects, for more information visit www.totaleducationsyte.com

Jenny Gill is an international author with an immense range of knowledge and skills in a wide range of areas. Jenny is a mother and a grandmother and devotes a lot of her time supporting the aged in her community.

Tags: Homeschooling, Self Esteem

By Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

Most of us do not like to be controlled, and children are no exception. While they may comply in certain areas to avoid punishment, they will likely resist in other areas.

WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES TO YOUR CHILD OF ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL HIM OR HER?

Your choice to control always has negative consequences for your children. It is important to connect your controlling behavior with the consequences that may result. While controlling might work in the short run, it can create many problems in the long run.

What are the problems you are having?

* My child and I get into power struggles.

* My child does what I want most of the time but becomes resistant in certain areas. My child resists:

Taking a bath or shower

Brushing teeth

Going to bed

Doing homework Getting ready for school

Learning

Going to school

Reading

Keeping his or room clean

Doing chores

Telling the truth

Dressing appropriately for school

Using appropriate language

Looking nice

Being kind and considerate

Being on time

Talking with me

Having my values

Eating well

Caring about his or her health. Instead, he or she:

Smokes

Drinks alcohol

Smokes pot

Uses drugs

Eats junk

Caring about his or her safety. Instead, he or she:

Rides a motorcycle without a helmet

Drinks or uses drugs and drives

Drives recklessly

Has unprotected sex

Walks in dangerous areas

Calling when he or she is going to be late

Caring about what is important to me

Being loving to me

Listening to me

Getting a job

* My child never does what I ask. He or she is always resistant.

* My child suffers from low self-esteem.

* My child is depressed.

* My child feels unloved.

* My child is bossy with other kids . * My child is tense, anxious, angry and/or unhappy.

* My child beats up on younger kids.

*My child does not take personal responsibility.

WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF TRYING TO CONTROL YOUR CHILD?

Your controlling behavior may also have negative consequences for you, especially in the long run.

What are the consequences for you?

* Parenting is not fun. It feels like a burden.

* I feel resentful toward my child.

* I am tired of the power struggles.

* I feel tense, anxious, angry or frustrated.

* I feel like a failure as a parent.

* My child and I do not have fun together.

* I feel rageful and out of control.

* I feel overwhelmed.

Parenting really can become a wonderfully fulfilling experience when you learn to parent as a loving and respectful adult rather than from the fear and insecurity that underlies controlling behavior.

The secret of letting go of controlling parenting is to learn what it means to be kind to yourself. If your focus is on being kind to your children but not to yourself, you will likely become a permissive parent, which has just as many negative consequences as controlling parenting. When you focus on being kind to yourself, you naturally refuse to tolerate unkind behavior from your children. However, instead of trying to control your children, you learn to take care of yourself. By learning to take loving action in your own behalf and setting logical consequences for your childrens unacceptable behavior, your children will learn to take personal responsibility far more quickly than when you attempt to force it on them.

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. best-selling author of eight books, and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone sessions available.

Tags: Authoritarian Parenting, Self Esteem

By Basheer Ahmad

At this age, teenagers are worried about how they look, concerned about their popularity, and very focused on their own feelings and experiences. These truths, combined with still immature reasoning and judgment means that teenagers are prone to distortions in their self image and are likely to have at least somewhat unrealistic estimations of their own capacities.

As a parent, you, naturally, want to help your child with every advantage in life. Most importantly, perhaps, is that you want your child to grow up to be confident, responsible, and successful. How can you best foster self esteem in your teenager?

1) Give them clear rules to follow. All children, no matter what age, respond best to clear instruction. Your teenager may balk or fight over your rules, but this is par for the course. Clear rules communicate the value you have for your child, and when your children know they are valued, this is the first building block of self esteem.

2) Balance out criticism with appropriate acknowledgements. When your child does something well, say so. Acknowledge their skills, talents or abilities, and be sure to pay attention to the positives rather than only the negatives.

3) Let them make some of their own decisions. Teenagers learn good decision-making by actually making decisions. Allow them to make decisions with your guidance. Ask them to share their lines of thinking with you and their reasoning. Help them see where their reasoning or judgment might be better.

4) Keep in regular contact with them. Although teenagers are likely to be self-centered and self focused, be sure to talk to them anyway. Ask about their day, find out what they are feeling, and share information about your day and your feelings too. No matter how much your teenager wants to isolate or disconnect from the family, work to keep them engaged and involved.

5) Be proud of your teenager, and tell them so. When your child accomplishes a goal or is awarded an honor, take the extra step to let him or her know how proud you are. Words make a huge difference; dont just assume that they already know.

6) Support your child during a conflict. When your child is in conflict with another, find a way to support his/her viewpoint while maintaining your personal integrity. Your child will not always be right; but he or she will not always be wrong. Being supportive of your child during conflict provides a strong foundation for meeting all kinds of challenges.

7) Examine your own self esteem and feelings of limitation. If you have struggled with your own self esteem, take care not to impose these same struggles on your child. Children are very susceptible to absorbing their parents opinions and belief systems, so take care not to impose your own negative beliefs on your child.

Be consistent. If you want to raise a healthy, well-adjusted child (and you probably do), be consistent with your rules and your approach. It doesnt matter so much what the rules are. It matters more that the rules are always the rules. Dont criticize your child for something one day and praise him for it the next. Children dont gain self esteem in the face of constant change.

9) Remind your child of your support. Its like the old saying, 'give them roots to ground them, but wings to fly'. Let them know you are there to help them whenever they need it. Again, this feeling of support and constancy will help them become more confident in the world.

10) Finally, celebrate their uniqueness. Every parent has cherished dreams and goals for their child. This doesnt mean that the child will want those same dreams and goals for him or herself. When there is a gap between desires and reality, you, as a parent, must bridge that space by letting go of what you desired and truly, deeply loving who your child is.

These tools will help you build your childs self esteem. With high self esteem, your child will move through the world more confidently, be more willing to take necessary risks, and will be more successful. And what parent wouldnt want that?

Basheer Ahmad is a freelance internet infopreneur and e-learning education consultant from Singapore. Visit his website at : http://www.singapore-math-online.com

He also invites you to subscribe to his FREE , top-rated study tips newsletter and FREE education reports at : http://www.secrets-to-study-success.com

Tags: Self Esteem, Unrealistic Estimations

By ian Williamson

At this age, teenagers are worried about how they look, concerned about their popularity, and very focused on their own feelings and experiences. These truths, combined with still immature reasoning and judgment means that teenagers are prone to distortions in their self image and are likely to have at least somewhat unrealistic estimations of their own capacities.

As a parent, you, naturally, want to help your child with every advantage in life. Most importantly, perhaps, is that you want your child to grow up to be confident, responsible, and successful. How can you best foster self esteem in your teenager?

1) Give them clear rules to follow. All children, no matter what age, respond best to clear instruction. Your teenager may balk or fight over your rules, but this is par for the course. Clear rules communicate the value you have for your child, and when your children know they are valued, this is the first building block of self esteem.

2) Balance out criticism with appropriate acknowledgements. When your child does something well, say so. Acknowledge their skills, talents or abilities, and be sure to pay attention to the positives rather than only the negatives.

3) Let them make some of their own decisions. Teenagers learn good decision-making by actually making decisions. Allow them to make decisions with your guidance. Ask them to share their lines of thinking with you and their reasoning. Help them see where their reasoning or judgment might be better.

4) Keep in regular contact with them. Although teenagers are likely to be self-centered and self focused, be sure to talk to them anyway. Ask about their day, find out what they are feeling, and share information about your day and your feelings too. No matter how much your teenager wants to isolate or disconnect from the family, work to keep them engaged and involved.

5) Be proud of your teenager, and tell them so. When your child accomplishes a goal or is awarded an honor, take the extra step to let him or her know how proud you are. Words make a huge difference; dont just assume that they already know.

6) Support your child during a conflict. When your child is in conflict with another, find a way to support his/her viewpoint while maintaining your personal integrity. Your child will not always be right; but he or she will not always be wrong. Being supportive of your child during conflict provides a strong foundation for meeting all kinds of challenges.

7) Examine your own self esteem and feelings of limitation. If you have struggled with your own self esteem, take care not to impose these same struggles on your child. Children are very susceptible to absorbing their parents opinions and belief systems, so take care not to impose your own negative beliefs on your child.

Be consistent. If you want to raise a healthy, well-adjusted child (and you probably do), be consistent with your rules and your approach. It doesnt matter so much what the rules are. It matters more that the rules are always the rules. Dont criticize your child for something one day and praise him for it the next. Children dont gain self esteem in the face of constant change.

9) Remind your child of your support. Its like the old saying, 'give them roots to ground them, but wings to fly'. Let them know you are there to help them whenever they need it. Again, this feeling of support and constancy will help them become more confident in the world.

10) Finally, celebrate their uniqueness. Every parent has cherished dreams and goals for their child. This doesnt mean that the child will want those same dreams and goals for him or herself. When there is a gap between desires and reality, you, as a parent, must bridge that space by letting go of what you desired and truly, deeply loving who your child is.

These tools will help you build your childs self esteem. With high self esteem, your child will move through the world more confidently, be more willing to take necessary risks, and will be more successful. And what parent wouldnt want that?

For More Parenting articles by Ian Williamson please visit http://www.real-articles.com/Category/Parental-Care/38

Tags: Helping Teenager, Self Esteem

By Brook Noel

Children with healthy self-esteems try hard in school, get along well with others, hold a 'can-do' attitude about life, and feel positive about their environment. They can accept ups and downs graciously. The opposite is true of children who suffer from low self-esteems. These children compare themselves to others and never feel they have done well enough. They are frustrated easily and fear risk and challenge. Children with low self-esteems can easily fall prey to peer pressure, eating disorders, and other dangers.

You can help a child who has a low self-esteem by examining the reasons behind it. You can also encourage the continuity of those children who have healthy self-esteems. By using a positive, can-do attitude in your home, you will pass that attitude on to your child. Try the following ideas to encourage a positive self-esteem:

EXAMINE YOURSELF AND YOUR ATTITUDE Children learn by example. If you hold a high self-esteem and think positively, odds are your child will to. If you suffer from a low self-esteem you will need to examine your current patterns of thinking and work on changing them.

SEEK OUT THE POSITIVE This does not mean you need to be a Pollyanna but you should search for the positive side of things. When your child comes to you with a problem, ask questions and pursue the positive side. The same goes for how you act in your own endeavors. When things go wrong look for the up side.

RELATE TO YOUR CHILD Parents often will sit and tell the humorous stories of their past. There is probably much more your child would like to hear. When your child comes to you with a dilemma, share your own experience. Even though you may be years apart your child may find relief that you have had times of self-doubt and concern.

WHY ASK WHY? If your child uses statements like 'I cant' or other statements that show he is frustrated or giving up, ask 'Why cant you?' Asking these questions may frustrate your child and you may hear answers like 'I dont know… I just cant!' Try bringing the subject up later when the intensity of the situation has lessened. Then ask 'Earlier today you said you could not solve that puzzle, why dont you think you could solve it?' By exploring reasons together you may find the source of a low self-esteem.

IDENTIFY STRENGTHS Another way to increase self-esteem is to emphasize a childs strong points. If he is good in art but doesnt do well in sports–work with him and praise him on his art. By developing a feeling of confidence in one area, that confidence may spread into another area of a childs life.

PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT Praise and encouragement are essential vitamins for a child. Encourage all children and praise them for situations where they put their 'all' into it, no matter what the result. Filling your vocabulary with positive statements and providing a positive environment are big steps in helping your child build a healthy self-esteem.

Brook Noel is an international best-selling author and has written over 10 books. Her newest book The Change Your Life Challenge: A 70 Day Life Makeover Program for Women has helped thousands of women improve relationships, finances, home management, self-esteem, fitness, self-care, stress and depression you can visit the website at http://www.changeyourlifechallenge.com/.

Tags: Developing a Healthy, Self Esteem

By John Pawlett

They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic. Its also been shown that children who feel important are well-rounded, respectful, and excel in academics, extracurricular activities and hobbies and develop healthy relationships with their peers. In contrast, for children who do not feel important or cherished have low self-esteem, and challenges can become sources of major anxiety and frustration. Children who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solving problems, and may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed.

You are the biggest influence in your child feeling important, valued and worthy. Remember to praise your child for a job well done, and also for putting for a valiant effort. Praise the good traits they naturally possess, and help them find ways to learn from their mistakes and failures.

Be honest and sincere in your praise. Help them realize that you also suffer from self doubt and can make mistakes from time to time, but that you know that you are important, valued and loved. When you nurture your own self -esteem and importance, your child will learn to do the same, so be sure to lead by example and steer clear of self-depreciating yourself or engaging in activities that lower your self-worth or importance. Your child may have inaccurate or irrational beliefs about themselves, their abilities or their traits. Accentuate the positive about your child, and encourage your child to set realistic expectations and standards for themselves. Help them identify traits or skills theyd like to improve and help them come up with a game plan for accomplishing that goal.

Encourage your child to become involved in cooperative activities that foster a sense of teamwork and accomplishment. Through these and other positive, affirming activities, your child is sure to develop a strong sense of self importance, value and worth which will carry into their adult years.

Clear Expectations Make Discipline Easier Sometimes it can be very challenging to communicate anything with your child. Setting clear expectations regarding whats acceptable behavior and what isnt imperative to successfully teaching your child right from wrong. If the parameters are muddled or the child learns that in one situation the rules hold true yet in another situation the same rule does not, it makes for confusion and frustration on both sides.

Sit down with your child well in advance and line out the expectations and consequences of misbehaving or a misdeed. Make it clear that in no uncertain terms is there any room for negotiation at the time of the infraction, and that should such a behavior occur you intend to be firm in your discipline.

Rules regarding your childs safety, health or well-being should have no room for negotiation when being set or enforced. Other rules can be openly and honestly discussed with your child and an agreed upon action should be forged that both parents and child can agree upon. If necessary, make a contract between parent and child. Lay it all out in black and white, in language your child can clearly understand.

For younger children, you might want to develop a good behavior chart within the contract, and for each week that goes by without any infractions being noted, a favorite or special activity might be earned. The connection between good deeds and special time with mom and/or dad might be just the currency they understand.

But all children need to understand that disciplining them is your way of teaching them whats acceptable behavior and what isnt. It may seem as though children fight rules and regulations, but they truly know that such parameters are meant for their well-being, health, safety, and enable them to grow into a mature person capable of making wise decisions.

Cast Children is an informative resources site on everything Child Acting related. Find out how Cast Children can expand your horizons.

Tags: Self Esteem, Solving Problems

By John Pawlett

They tend to smile more readily and enjoy life. These kids are realistic and generally optimistic. Its also been shown that children who feel important are well-rounded, respectful, and excel in academics, extracurricular activities and hobbies and develop healthy relationships with their peers. In contrast, for children who do not feel important or cherished have low self-esteem, and challenges can become sources of major anxiety and frustration. Children who think poorly of themselves have a hard time finding solving problems, and may become passive, withdrawn, or depressed.

You are the biggest influence in your child feeling important, valued and worthy. Remember to praise your child for a job well done, and also for putting for a valiant effort. Praise the good traits they naturally possess, and help them find ways to learn from their mistakes and failures.

Be honest and sincere in your praise. Help them realize that you also suffer from self doubt and can make mistakes from time to time, but that you know that you are important, valued and loved. When you nurture your own self -esteem and importance, your child will learn to do the same, so be sure to lead by example and steer clear of self-depreciating yourself or engaging in activities that lower your self-worth or importance. Your child may have inaccurate or irrational beliefs about themselves, their abilities or their traits. Accentuate the positive about your child, and encourage your child to set realistic expectations and standards for themselves. Help them identify traits or skills theyd like to improve and help them come up with a game plan for accomplishing that goal.

Encourage your child to become involved in cooperative activities that foster a sense of teamwork and accomplishment. Through these and other positive, affirming activities, your child is sure to develop a strong sense of self importance, value and worth which will carry into their adult years.

Clear Expectations Make Discipline Easier Sometimes it can be very challenging to communicate anything with your child. Setting clear expectations regarding whats acceptable behavior and what isnt imperative to successfully teaching your child right from wrong. If the parameters are muddled or the child learns that in one situation the rules hold true yet in another situation the same rule does not, it makes for confusion and frustration on both sides.

Sit down with your child well in advance and line out the expectations and consequences of misbehaving or a misdeed. Make it clear that in no uncertain terms is there any room for negotiation at the time of the infraction, and that should such a behavior occur you intend to be firm in your discipline.

Rules regarding your childs safety, health or well-being should have no room for negotiation when being set or enforced. Other rules can be openly and honestly discussed with your child and an agreed upon action should be forged that both parents and child can agree upon. If necessary, make a contract between parent and child. Lay it all out in black and white, in language your child can clearly understand.

For younger children, you might want to develop a good behavior chart within the contract, and for each week that goes by without any infractions being noted, a favorite or special activity might be earned. The connection between good deeds and special time with mom and/or dad might be just the currency they understand.

But all children need to understand that disciplining them is your way of teaching them whats acceptable behavior and what isnt. It may seem as though children fight rules and regulations, but they truly know that such parameters are meant for their well-being, health, safety, and enable them to grow into a mature person capable of making wise decisions.

Cast Children is an informative resources site on everything Child Acting related. Find out how Cast Children can expand your horizons.

Tags: Healthy Relationships, Self Esteem

By Sarah K. Jenkins

The first thing you should do to help your child is research ADD; learn everything you can about the disorder. You will be more help to your child if you fully understand what they are up against, common treatments, and what to expect down the road. You will also be more prepared to work with your childs doctor in effective management of the disorder.

You should also decide, with the help of your doctor, if your child should be medicated. This is a personal decision and can be only be made by you. Some parents feel they are giving their child the best opportunity they can by providing a means to a normal life. Others feel as though medication is not an option. Whatever your decision, you should be educated and certain of your decision.

Regardless of if you use medication, you should implement certain behavior therapy guidelines to help your child control their behavior. These train your child to utilize lifelong skills to be effective and productive. You should have set behaviour guidelines, as well as consequences. Children with ADD need clear expectations and consistent discipline.

You should be supportive of your child; you are their best advocate. In school, be sure they are being treated in a manner that will ensure their growth and development, as well as at home. You should consider yourself, your childs teachers, and doctors a part of a team whose goal is to help your child succeed.

Help your child grow to be a confident and happy person. Acknowledge their strengths and tell them how much you love them. Children with ADD often suffer depression and low self-esteem; if you know this is the case, take measures to help avoid this fate for your child. Seek professional help if necessary.

Consider joining a support group and seek out people that share your situation. Often the best advice you can take is from someone that has been in your shoes. Utilize life experience!

Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird Flu and Crohns Disease. For more of her articles, go to http://www.imedicalvillage.com now. Click here now and re

Tags: Children With ADD, Self Esteem

By Andrew Borodin

Today I would like to share on improving the confidence and self esteem of your child. I know that this is a huge topic and we will not be able to cover it in any huge detail. But we will give it our best shot.

Most children have a healthy self esteem and are confident about who they are and where they come from. This is no accident. Their parents have been supportive and helpful in the young childs endeavours and development. Basically the parents have been there for their child. They have encouraged and supported the child to make sure that the child was successful in whatever they were doing. The small successes soon become big and the progression is that the child will be confident to take greater steps and have greater success. The greatest gift that any parent can give their child is LOVE and then after that is faith in the childs ability to succeed. Believing in someones ability gives them confidence that they can do it.

When a Child says, ' I am no good, I will never be able to do it..' Shows that the child has not been encouraged and supported. The child needs help in developing and building their confidence. It will have to be done by having small successes and proving to the child that they can do it and that the child is capable and that the child is GOOD.

You as a parent ask yourself, have I encouraged my child or have I put my child down? What type of language am I using, is it to my childs benefit? What can I do to make this better? Are you being too critical?

Most parents do not mean to belittle their children, but in the heat of the moment they do let it slip. ' Little Johnny you are the most useless boy I have ever seen, you keep spilling you milk like a baby.!!!' This certainly does not help little Johnny improve his confidence.

We as parents need to be mindful of what we say to our children. We need to say encouraging and uplifting things to our children. Like, great spillage, you need to concentrate on what you are doing and not looking at what is happening on TV when you are pouring the milk into the glass.

By speaking positively and encouragingly to your child you will see big improvements, especially in confidence and self esteem. Your children will not be afraid to make a mistake and will have the confidence to make well defined decisions without fear of failure. You as a parent you will be doing less nagging. Do you want your child to have low self esteem? If not. Then……. Be positive, Be encouraging, Get to it and Do It!

Andrew Borodin http://www.parent-child-help.com

Andrew Borodin is a retired teacher who enjoys helping kids and their parents build stronger family ties for their lifetime. http://www.parent-child-help.com

Andrew Borodin is a retired teacher who enjoys helping kids and their parents build stronger family ties for their lifetime. http://www.parent-child-help.com

Tags: Confidence, Self Esteem

By Aurelia Williams

* Model good self-esteem: Express through your actions and words that you respect yourself. Children are wonderful at imitating what they see and hear. Remember, you are your childs best role model.

* Create positive routines: Young children need routines to help them to feel secure and competent. Try to set a good schedule for bedtime, rest/naps, meals, etc. Try to keep exceptions to the routine to a minimum and explain any necessary changes if/when they occur.

* Allow many opportunities for children to contribute to the family: Give your child a job/chore that only he/she does for the family. Even a small job can have a positive lasting impact on your childs self esteem.

* Talk about the world in positive terms: Even though there is negativity in the world, dont dwell on it with your child. When with your child, be sure to point out the many positive things in the world.

* Spend time with your child: Remember quality is more important than quantity. Even if you spend just 30 minutes with your child one on one — playing games, taking walks, having long bedtime chats, or just snuggling in front of the TV, spending time with your child shows them that you value their company.

* Give your child choices: Giving your child choices between a reasonable set of options that are already predetermined by you will make them feel empowered.

Aurelia Williams is the host of Parenting My Teen Podcast and is also the owner of Real Life Solutions, a free resource site for moms.

Tags: Self Esteem, Strategies Childs