Boost Your Child's Self-Esteem

Email Story Print Story

Be generous with praise. Look for situations in which your children are doing good jobs, displaying talent and demonstrating positive character traits. Praise your children for jobs well done and for effort.

Teach positive self-statements. Redirect out your children's inaccurate or negative beliefs about themselves and teach them how to think in positive ways.

Avoid criticism that takes the form of ridicule or shame. Blame and negative judgments are at the core of poor self-esteem and can lead to emotional disorders.

Teach children about decision making and to recognize when they have made good decisions. Let them "own" their problems. If they solve them, they gain confidence in themselves. If you solve them, they will remain dependent on you. Take the time to answer questions. Help children think of alternative options.

Show children that you can laugh at yourself. Show them that life doesn't need to be serious all the time and that some teasing is all in fun. Your sense of humor is important for their well being.