"I Treasure You" Parenting Children to Build Self Esteem and Self Confidence

Self-esteem, self-respect, and self-confidence may seem interchangeable, but there are subtle differences. The definitions here are taken from Dictionary.com. Self-esteem is defined as 'a realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself'. Self-respect means 'proper esteem or regard for the dignity of one's character'. Self-confidence is described as 'realistic confidence in one's own judgment, ability, power, etc.' When you write out "I Treasure You" notes to your children you are increasing their self esteem. The importance of self esteem, self confidence and self respect in children and teens is vital for healthy development of their personalities.

Those with parenting influence have the responsibility to serve their children's mental and emotional health as well as their physical needs.  One vital area is to build self esteem and self-confidence of children.  When a child does not have high self-esteem, they are at risk for many detrimental things, particularly during the teen years.  There is so much pressure on kids to do the wrong thing.  If they are not secure in whom they are, they will succumb to the temptations and end up in trouble.  This is why it is so important that we affirm that they are valuable to us.

During the childhood years, boys' social skills are not as well developed as girls' social skills. Therefore, the boy's limited ability to verbally challenge and asset themselves can make them an easy target for bullies.  Bullies can destroy a boy's fragile self-confidence.  One aspect of building boy's self confidence is to remove negative influences and parents can help by dealing with the issue of bullying when it arises. Make sure that you ask questions.  Encourage your child to make friends with other children to deter the bully and discreetly notify school authorities.  Reaffirm to your child that you will do all you can to make them safe and that you are on their side.  Writing an "I Treasure You" note will give your son's confidence a boost, especially when he can read the note over and over again. These things will help restore your boy's self-confidence.

One of the common issues affecting self esteem in girls is physical appearance. One way to build a girl's self-esteem is to make her comfortable with her body.  Girls are taught by society from a very young age that in order to be beautiful, you must be thin.  While good eating habits should be taught and encouraged from a very young age, girls should not be preoccupied with their weight.  As mothers, we need to be at ease with our own bodies so that we can teach our daughters to have a healthy self-image.  Girls should be taught that their self-worth is derived not from their dress size, but from the quality of their character.

A teen's self-esteem can be a very delicate thing.  Friends and peers can influence the way a teenager feels about themselves either positively or negatively.  Parents can have even greater influence over their teen's self-esteem and it is important to know how to cultivate healthy adolescent self-esteem.

For each of these situations, treasuring your children and teens to show them how they are valuable and valued will help create a shining self-image and bring you the joy and satisfaction by watching them grow into happy and healthy people.