self-esteem and Parenting

Building a Child’s Self-Esteem

Building a child’s self-esteem from the start, according to Cousens and Lynn (2015), is one method a parent can create a lovely existence for them in the future. This is because the children must understand what their parents expect of them as well as the consequences if they fail. One of the goals of parenting is to help children have productive lives. As a result, making youngsters feel good about themselves is an acceptable educational goal. Their goal is to ensure that the children communicate positive ideas and feelings as they grow into adults. Self-esteem is a person’s sense of self-worth and self-evaluation. Children with low self-esteem are often perceived to be hesitant to move out of their comfort zone or to take risks. They time and again think and talk negatively about themselves. The ones with high self-esteem, on the other hand, have a balance between thinking too positively or too negatively about oneself. The self-esteem of an individual comes from early positive experiences with parents. Regardless of the home environment, the parents can assist their young ones to build up a healthy self-esteem. The youngsters are affected by how much they feel loved, liked, and accepted by their parents. This paper will generate parenting paper outline information on various things the parents can do to promote high self-esteem in their children between the ages of five to fifteen.

Things Parents Can Do to Promote High Self-Esteem in Their Children

Praise efforts

The parents should praise their children in ways that do not mislead or lie to them. It should acknowledge their efforts, and they need to pay more attention to the outcome as well as the process. The praise should be non-deceptive, which means it should focus on their hard work and efforts. They should be encouraged in areas of real strength (Carson, 2010).

Teach problem-solving skills

The parents should hold the children liable for their mistakes so that they may learn to solve problems. This will also teach them not to blame others for their mistakes. When the young ones get into trouble, the parents can help them to acknowledge their mistakes and come up with ways solve such issues. Although they should provide support, they should allow the youngster to take the lead in correcting the fault. The young ones will feel competent if they are enabled to focus on problem-solving rather than being blamed. From this, the parents will be teaching them that most problems can be fixed, people learn from experiencing failure, make mistakes, and other people will still care about them. This, in turn, will promote self-esteem in the youngsters. Additionally, the parents can facilitate the development of self-esteem in their children by providing them with opportunities for independence and individuality. Also, the parents need to present opportunities to the youngsters for contributing to the communities, schools, and families (Cornbluth, 2014).

Set suitable anticipations and boundaries

The parents will create an environment that is predictable and reasonable by setting consistent and firm boundaries for the behavior of their children. The children need to feel safe to take risks and explore. When the young ones know what is expected of them, they will create a sense of security because they are more likely to meet such expectations. Most children will respond with appropriate behaviors when the adults discipline them with care and warmth. The parents should, as well, have reasonable and high standards for behavior. When they break the rules, the consequences should not be cruel or harsh, but the adults should respond in a way that upholds the self-respect of the child. Being responsive, emotionally warm, consistent, and firm are hallmarks of good parenting, which, in turn, promotes high self-esteem in the children. The care and the love that the parents give to the children will facilitate the development of their self-esteem. The adults also need to ensure that the children grow up in a stable and secure home environment with affection and love. From this, they will feel valued and develop a positive self-image (Burnham & Jones, 2002).

Listen to the children

The parents need to listen carefully to the opinions and experiences of the children. When a young one is frightened or has hurt feelings, the adults need to acknowledge such feeling by requesting them to explain what has happened. They should not tell the children how to feel but must listen to them carefully without interrupting. By listening respectfully and thoughtfully, the parents will be helping the children to learn to trust their feelings and themselves, which also, will promote high self-esteem in the young ones. This interactional style generates an environment that is naturally reinforcing for the youngsters; as a result, promoting enhanced family cohesion and self-esteem (Guindon, 2009).

Value the children

The parents who express unconditional acceptance and positive regard for the youngsters generate an atmosphere that promotes a willingness to take a risk and optimistic attitude. The children will have as well a secure sense of who they are when the adults also express unconditional acceptance and love. Furthermore, the children need to know that even when they experience failure and make mistakes, they are loved and valued by others, particularly their parents. The parents can spend time together in an action of the choice of the young ones so as to send the message that they value them. They will feel that they have natural growth when they are aware that the adults appreciate them enough to spend time with them. When it comes to learning, the parents should give the children positive encouragement and praise so as to make them feel valued and build up their self-esteem. From this, the young one will be more likely to attempt to achieve similar reaction from the parent by trying hard next time (Burnham & Jones, 2002).

Conclusion

Assisting the youngsters to build up self-esteem is a concept of helping get confirmation that they are capable and competent. The evidence on this need to be based on experience and should be genuine. The parents will be helping the children to develop a sense of self-worth when they create opportunities for them to experience success and take the risk. The youngsters need supportive adults when they make mistakes. To be supportive, the parents should not rescue them from the consequences, but rather express confidence that next time they will bring better performance home and teach them to solve the problems. For all that, the parents will be able to promote self-esteem in their children when they demonstrate to them that they are cared for and valued. Building the self-esteem of one’s child from the beginning is one way a parent can develop a beautiful life for them in the future (Cousens & Lynn, 2015).

References

Burnham, L., & Jones, H. (2002). Teaching Assistants handbook: S/NVQ level 3. Oxford: Heinemann Child Care.

Carson, T. L. (2010). Lying and Deception: Theory and Practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cousens, G., & Lynn, L. (2015). Conscious Parenting: The Holistic Guide to Raising and Nourishing Healthy, Happy Children. North Atlantic Books.

Cornbluth, S. (2014). Building Self-Esteem in Children and Teens Who Are Adopted or Fostered. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Guindon, M. H. (2009). Self-esteem accross the lifespan: issues and interventions.