West
Covina Elks
Parenting:
Nurturing the Full Potential
of Our Children and Building Self-Confidence in Your Child
* Build your child's confidence and
feelings of worth by focusing on
their strengths.
* Accept your children as they are.
Don't make your love and
acceptance dependent on their behavior.
* Have faith in your children so
they can believe in themselves.
* Recognize improvement and effort.
* Respect your children.
* Make positive statements to your
children as often as possible.
* When disagreements occur, argue
only about inaccurate facts or
statements. Remember, everyone has opinions. Sometimes we must
agree
that we disagree.
* Avoid making children feel guilty
about the tasks of growth --
especially the need to move away from you; avoid sarcasm and teasing
about their changing shapes, feelings or dates.
* Reach out and touch. A touch will
communicate much more than just
words.
* Make your home available to friends.
* Actively support groups they enjoy
and encourage your children to
join constructive groups of their age.
* Allow children to develop responsibility.
* Be honest with your children. Honesty
shows children you trust them.
* Deal with here-and-now issues.
The past may serve to further block
communication within the family.
* Work on your own positive self-esteem.
Smile! Be happy around your
children. Happy, well-adjusted human beings who genuinely care
for
others make excellent parents.