Tag Archives: confidence

Liking What You See in the Mirror

We all need to work consistently on maintaining a positive image of ourselves. We need to train our brains just as much as our bodies. As with exercise, if we don’t use it, we lose it! Once we start to slide into regularly thinking negative thoughts, we quickly find ourselves on a very slippery slope which leads to low self-esteem. How to stop the rot? Read on. 1. Accept compliments Do not minimize or negate compliments. Don’t give excuses as to why you look good or did a great job on a project. Accept these compliments with a smile. If … Continue reading →

I Like Myself! — Karen Beaumont

I like myself! I’m glad I’m me. There’s no one else I’d rather be. I like my eyes, my ears, my nose, I like my fingers and my toes. With hysterical illustrations, this book gives a very powerful message to children: they have every right to like themselves just as they are! The little girl in the book has outrageously wild hair, but that doesn’t matter. She likes it. She lives in a strange house with even stranger pictures on the walls, but it’s all a part of her world and so therefore, she likes it. She’s proud of who … Continue reading →

Five Ways to Empower Your Child with Special Needs

Kids with disabilities can accomplish amazing things when we believe in them. Here are five ways you can empower your son or daughter: 1. Expect your child to be responsible. In a recent blog I shared the story of Ben Underwood, a teenager who is totally blind. I was impressed that he told his mother, “But mom, I’m blind,” and she replied, “You’re going to do chores just like everybody else.” And in an interview for CBS, his mother said, “Why should he get a break? I don’t get any.” Ben has gone on to live an active, full life, and … Continue reading →

Bitss of Caramel Marmalade on Toast – Megan Bayliss

Megan Bayliss is an advocate for children’s safety in her home country of Australia, working as a social worker. Her blogs on child sexual abuse have caught our attention and her devotion to bringing this to the forefront is admirable. In a desire to help her spread her word about the importance of keeping our children safe and teaching them how to deal with would-be predators, I’m reviewing her children’s book “Bitss of Caramel Marmalade on Toast.” Bitssy is a half-dingo who lives in the city with her owner. She has a beautiful backyard full of plants, flowers and trees … Continue reading →

5 Ways To Boost Your Child’s Confidence

1. Express pride in their accomplishments. Let your child know when you feel they have accomplished something. Telling them you are proud of what they have done builds their self-confidence and gives them the desire to try again. Let your child overhear you praising them to others. I remember the time when I knew my dad was proud of me was when I heard him telling someone else about my grade-point average and test scores. I make it a point to praise my son when he is playing sports or for academics. As a result he believes that he is … Continue reading →

Confidence In Speaking

The other day my six-year-old son was asked to give a talk in our church’s children’s program. So we sat down together to write out what he was going to say. First I explained what the topic meant then I began to write. He stopped me saying, “Mom, that’s not what I want to say.” So I had to cross it all out and start over. This time he told me exactly what to write. The only problem was that he is only six-years-old and tends to ramble. So I wrote something that I thought conveyed his ideas but wasn’t … Continue reading →

Are You Boosting or Crushing Your Child’s Self-Esteem? Take the Quiz!

Alright, it’s time to take a little quiz and evaluate your parenting skills. Your child, while in your care, is developing the foundation of self-esteem he will have throughout his life. Most of his “cues” come from you. So how well are you doing? Answer the questions below, and be honest. Nobody is checking your responses, and only you are grading yourself. 1. When my child first enters the room, I usually: a) Smile brightly and speak in pleasant tones. b) Look up slightly from my work to see who it is. c) Scowl and inquire whether he’s cleaned his … Continue reading →