Kids’ self-image is vital to how they turn out in life. The idea of their abilities, appearance and personality can be shaped by what they experience both at home and school. Since home is home, a place they can fall back to after school experiences, kids need the love and support from family. Parenting among every other thing includes helping kids build their self-worth. The following are six ways parents can achieve that:
1. Show your kids how-to not just what-to: Don’t just tell your kids what to do. For example: (a). Make your bed. (b). Wash the dishes. (c). Do the laundry. (d). Walk the dog and so on. Show them how-to do it not just once but as long as it would take them to learn and master doing it all by themselves. Learning speed varies among kid, some are fast learner other are slow. Be patience with them, inspect and commend their improvements.
2. Criticize bad work not your kids: Kids work hard to impress their parents. Some will go as far as they could to do even what they are not asked to in order to impress mummy and daddy. What some parents do is to turn blind eyes to the good they did and emphasis on the little mistake they make. Kids are kids they are not perfect as adult are not. Encourage them by telling them that they can do better and explaining to them how not to repeat the same mistake.
3. Let them know there’s always room for improvement: An amateur through constant learning and practice can become professional. So it is in life; everyone grows—from infant to adulthood. Both parents and kids need commitment and patience. Failure is never final for those who keep trying and refuses to give up. Teach them to be patience, consistence and believe they can scale any height.
4. Teach from your personal experience: Generally, learning and practice are easier when a learner understands that the same process, difficulty and failure were the experience of their teacher and in the end they became successful. What were your childhood experience—low self-esteem, failure, or academic bullying? Use them to teach your kids good attitudes. It will shorten the distance it would cost them to figure certain things out. How you succeeded is a information they need to have.
5. Fine tune their desires: Don’t impose your desire or personal goal on them. The fact that you are a Guitarist does not mean every member of your family must belong to a band playing one instrument or the other. One may be talented in business or trade. It is your duty to guide and not manipulate them. This does not rule out the opportunity of let them learn whatever you desire them to know but the career they want in life is solely their choice. They need your support. Watch out for peer pressure and guide them rightly.
6. Spend Quality time: Time to kids is a substitute for the word love. Quality time with kid create the atmosphere for bonding. It helps them understand more of their parents and feel free to express themselves with fear. Bad behaviors are revealed and the opportunity to make immediate correction is readily available within the time. Also, time spent together reflects on your kids’ confidence and attitude. It make them feel loved and valuable.
1. Show your kids how-to not just what-to: Don’t just tell your kids what to do. For example: (a). Make your bed. (b). Wash the dishes. (c). Do the laundry. (d). Walk the dog and so on. Show them how-to do it not just once but as long as it would take them to learn and master doing it all by themselves. Learning speed varies among kid, some are fast learner other are slow. Be patience with them, inspect and commend their improvements.
2. Criticize bad work not your kids: Kids work hard to impress their parents. Some will go as far as they could to do even what they are not asked to in order to impress mummy and daddy. What some parents do is to turn blind eyes to the good they did and emphasis on the little mistake they make. Kids are kids they are not perfect as adult are not. Encourage them by telling them that they can do better and explaining to them how not to repeat the same mistake.
3. Let them know there’s always room for improvement: An amateur through constant learning and practice can become professional. So it is in life; everyone grows—from infant to adulthood. Both parents and kids need commitment and patience. Failure is never final for those who keep trying and refuses to give up. Teach them to be patience, consistence and believe they can scale any height.
4. Teach from your personal experience: Generally, learning and practice are easier when a learner understands that the same process, difficulty and failure were the experience of their teacher and in the end they became successful. What were your childhood experience—low self-esteem, failure, or academic bullying? Use them to teach your kids good attitudes. It will shorten the distance it would cost them to figure certain things out. How you succeeded is a information they need to have.
5. Fine tune their desires: Don’t impose your desire or personal goal on them. The fact that you are a Guitarist does not mean every member of your family must belong to a band playing one instrument or the other. One may be talented in business or trade. It is your duty to guide and not manipulate them. This does not rule out the opportunity of let them learn whatever you desire them to know but the career they want in life is solely their choice. They need your support. Watch out for peer pressure and guide them rightly.
6. Spend Quality time: Time to kids is a substitute for the word love. Quality time with kid create the atmosphere for bonding. It helps them understand more of their parents and feel free to express themselves with fear. Bad behaviors are revealed and the opportunity to make immediate correction is readily available within the time. Also, time spent together reflects on your kids’ confidence and attitude. It make them feel loved and valuable.
Elisha O. Ogbonna is the author of "Mastering the
Power of Your Emotions" an educative and instructive
book on how you can control what happens in your
irrespective of what happens to you. He is a motivational
and public speaker.
Power of Your Emotions" an educative and instructive
book on how you can control what happens in your
irrespective of what happens to you. He is a motivational
and public speaker.
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