5 Self-Esteem Questions for Better Parenting
by Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean"

Let's face it. Raising kids' self-esteem isn't easy. Each of us has reacted like the mother in the following story. If it sounds like you, don't worry. We understand.

A Mother's Frustration:

My spine stiffened. My shoulders tightened, and my ears felt as though they had been stabbed with a knife. The sound was a cross between fingernails on a blackboard and a first aid siren. And it was two feet from me.

“Catherine!� I screamed, twirling around from the sink where I was washing dishes.

“Mom, I have to practice my flute.�

“Don't do it near me. I can't take it.!� – Grace Witwer Housholder

Building self-esteem isn't easy to remember when you're in the middle of a difficult situation. Most of us feel guilty after we explode. We all wish we'd handled it differently. After the difficult situation is over, it's important to forgive ourselves, try to repair the situation, and move on. With that in mind, I'm offering 5 ways to encourage self-esteem in your children. Hopefully, this will help after you've pulled yourself out of the dumps to try again.

5 Self-Esteem Questions for Building Self-Esteem and Character:

Do I encourage my child to do good deeds for others?

To avoid self-centeredness teach your child to care about others. Remember, self-esteem without empathy is like a person without a heart.

Do I teach my child to stop negative thoughts?
Negative self-talk is criticism turned inward. It destroys self-esteem. Catch your child when he says, “I'm not good enough.� Teach him to switch to pleasant truths about himself.

Do I model positive thinking?

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