Tag Archives: self esteem

Bags of Rags and Mental Health

This is probably the strangest title for a mental health article I have written lately but the inspiration came from a home and garden warehouse catalog that was dumped in my mail box. I’m not big on perusing catalogs, especially those involving work, but this particular object for sale really popped out of the page for me. Apparently, for $7.50, I can buy a bag of rags. Marketed as Rags in Bags I looked at it, astounded that anyone would sell such an item, much less buy it. Being the psychologist, I was rather aghast at the ramifications of this … Continue reading →

Practice Introducing Your Kids Positively

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How many times are we tempted to say something negative about our kids when we introduce them to others? Or, if someone gives them a compliment we say, “Thanks, but…” We have to throw some criticism in there. Why is that? I recently had a friend do this when someone complimented their child on how they played their musical instrument at a recital. My friend said “thanks”, but then proceeded to tell the person who gave the compliment how their child didn’t practice as much as they should have and that it could have been better. How hard is it … Continue reading →

The Voice Your Children Hear for Life

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Have you ever heard your father say, “How could you have done something so stupid?” or “What on earth possessed you to do that?” What is really telling is when the child who hears these questions from their dads is all grown up, and he or she continues to hear these same questions in the that same familiar voice inside of their head. Only this time it’s at work, they just made a mistake, and they are so critical of themselves that they can’t get beyond the mistake in order to find the answer. Maybe they try to hide their … Continue reading →

Do You Feel Less Capable Than Others?

Insecurities and self-consciousness can plague a single parent. The simple fact that we may have fewer resources and have suffered a set-back or two can cause us to feel as though we are less deserving or less capable at things than other people. Of course this feeling of “less” is rooted in low self-esteem, but what can we do to feel as though we are as capable as anyone else? Identifying that you are, in fact, feeling less capable or qualified is the first step. Many of us can go along for years refusing to go after that promotion, or … Continue reading →

Self Esteem- A Balanced View

Yesterday we looked at how important it is to build up and encourage our marriage partner. It is also important we have a realistic view of ourselves. Yes, Romans 12:3 says each of us should not‘think more highly of himself than he ought to think.’ Of course this verse applies to women as well. Every woman should not think more highly of herself than she ought to think ‘but to think so as to have sound judgment.’ That also means not doing the opposite and putting ourselves down and feeling inadequate or inferior. We all have a habit of comparing … Continue reading →

Sticks and Stones …

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Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can’t hurt me. This is a childhood saying that we teach our kids because we want to teach them that just because someone says something nasty to them, they don’t have to respond with fists or kicks or scratches. But words are powerful things, they can help and they can hurt. The child who is labeled ‘fatso’ or ‘four-eyes’ is immediately singled out by classmates for being different. The difference doesn’t have to be profound or even unusual, it just has to be different enough that the other kids can pick … Continue reading →

We Need to Feel a Sense of Competency

We know that we cannot be perfect. I do not know of a single parent who is striving for absolutely perfection (or who will admit to it), but I also know that we can spend a lot of time feeling like we are bumping around in the dark or bumbling along and that is definitely no fun. Part of achieving a sense of peace and happiness in our lives to feel a sense of competency too—whether it is in our parenting, our work, or other areas of our lives. We all need to feel a certain degree of competency. While … Continue reading →

A Child Discovers the Power of the Word “No”

For many parents, it can be quite disturbing when their two year-old discovers the word “No”—she says it with such gritty determination. She soon says it all the time, whether she really wants what is being offered or not. My second daughter learned to say the word “No” and then came up with her first “sentence” at the same time: “My do it.” Her determination to be both independent and in control of her life was amazing and exhausting. While she had been somewhat stubborn from birth, when she started to master language, she could be downright contrary. Why does … Continue reading →

Author Interview — Gabriella Goddard

Today we are joined by Gabriella Goddard, author of a new self-help book entitled “Gulp!” Gabriella, thank you for joining us today. Can you tell us a little about this new release? It has a great title, by the way. “Gulp!” is aimed at people who are facing a challenge in their life and are confused about what to do next. Using the latest life coaching techniques, “Gulp!” provides people with a 7 day crash course showing them how to master their fear, step outside their comfort zone and take that leap of faith. This is exactly the same journey … Continue reading →

Have You Lied to Yourself?

Have you ever lied to yourself? That’s what I realized I had been doing all day yesterday. I woke with a sore throat and clogged head but I was determined to go to singing practice. Having missed the last few weeks I desperately wanted to be there so I could help lead the singing at church on Sunday. I took the required tablet. ‘I’m fine,’ I told myself. I perpetuated the lie later in the afternoon though I started feeling worse. As we were having dinner, the rain came- driving, pelting rain. Common sense insisted it was stupidity to go … Continue reading →