We know that developing healthy self-esteem in our children is critical to their future happiness as adults. However, that is sometimes easier said than done. In order to do so, we must first get clear about what self-esteem actually does and does not mean.
The self-esteem movement, taken in the wrong direction in the past, led to a sense of entitlement in many of our nation's youth. With an over-inflated sense of self, they all too often developed the belief that the world (and everyone in it) was there solely for their own enjoyment and happiness.
As adults, we worked hard to sweep disappointment and challenges out of their paths-for fear these experiences would damage their fragile self-esteem. By covering up weaknesses and apparent flaws, we unknowingly gave the impression that anything less than perfection might put a dent in the very fabric of their ability to love and accept themselves. We definitely missed the boat on that one.
True self-esteem develops from an unconditional acceptance of both our strengths and our weaknesses. It strengthens in the face of struggle. In order to rev up your children's true self-esteem, follow these six suggestions.
1. Value them for who they are - flaws and all!
2. Give them opportunities to see their mistakes as stepping stones to their ultimate success.
3. Expose them to stories of people who have triumphed in the face of challenge! Check out the short movie clips , especially "Finish Strong" at Personal Transformations.
4. Demonstrate your belief in them by holding them accountable for their actions.
5. Let them solve some of their own problems.
6. Don't do something for them if they are capable of doing it for themselves.
Copyright © 2008 by Holly A. Cox, L.C.P.C., C.D.C.®
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Love is a Priceless Gift!
Giving the Gift of Love
During a parenting seminar, parents were asked to think back to our own childhoods and remember someone who really loved us. The leader then asked us what we remembered about how that person showed us their love.
We reported many fond memories including:
- Spent one-on-one time with me
- Played card games together
- Cooked my favorite meal
- Face lit up when I arrived
- Asked questions about how things were going for me
- Sat together and talked
- Baked special cookies with me
- Went on walks in the park together
- Taught me how to knit
She pointed out that not a single one of our responses involved material gifts like iPods, Legos, scooters or televisions. What will our children remember when they look back at their childhood? Probably the same type of things we remember... the special times spent together.
We communicate our love to our children when we choose to spend time with them. It's the things we do together with our children that they will remember the rest of their lives. Long after they have forgotten the very cool toy we bought for their birthday, they will remember the afternoons we spent playing catch in the backyard or baking cookies together.
Challenge yourself to carve out time to do something special with your children. You may want to talk to them about what they would really like to do or you could surprise them. Consider writing this activity on the calendar so that everyone remembers it and something else doesn't accidentally get scheduled. Remember the gifts that will last the longest are the ones where you spend special time together.
Kathy Slattengren is a noted parenting speaker, trainer and founder of Priceless Parenting. Priceless Parenting provides an online parenting class which teaches effective discipline techniques for positively dealing with misbehavior.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Slattengren
http://EzineArticles.com/?Giving-the-Gift-of-Love&id=1678771
Declutter Your Life!
I'll admit it. Clutter is my nemesis. I always start out with good intentions, and I can even do a thorough job of cleaning up my environment when I must. All too soon, however, I find myself drowning in a sea of "stuff" or working my way through the thousands of emails that cross my path. Envious of others who are not so organizationally challenged, I resolve to be just like them; but that's easier said than done.
So what gets in my way? Well, I'm usually multi-tasking and often do things at hyper-speed, so it's easy to fail to pay attention to the things I'm doing from moment to moment. I also tend to become overfocused on the task at hand and don't want to start something unless I can finish it.
Through the years, I've found certain techniques that work better than others when facing my "clutter" demons. You might find these helpful as well.
- Choose one type of clutter per month to focus on. If you decide to tackle the drawers in your home and/or office, intend to organize one drawer per day while leaving weekends free. By the end of the month, you will have streamlined 20 of them without feeling a bit overwhelmed.
- Commit to throwing out five pieces of paper per day. This can include envelopes, receipts, kleenex, etc.
- Pay attention to what you are doing - while you are doing it. This is key!
- Deal with your emails as you read them - file them, forward them, respond to them, or delete them.
- Vow to use up all your shampoo/shower gel/soap, etc. before buying more. This is one I need to follow since, left to my own devices, I tend to have a number of partially-used bottles filling up my bathroom cabinets.
- Once a week set a timer for fifteen minutes, play your favorite music, and pick up as much clutter as you can during this time period. When the timer goes off, stop and give yourself some much needed relaxation!
Copyright © 2008 by Holly Cox, L.C.P.C., C.D.C.®
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Amazingly Fabulous Life - Create One for You and Your Family!
"LEARN HOW TO LOVE EVERY MOMENT
OF YOUR AMAZINGLY FABULOUS LIFE!"
"DON'T PRESS THE PAUSE BUTTON ON YOUR LIFE FOR ONE MORE SECOND! SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK!"
If you'd like to ELIMINATE THE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE THAT ARE DRAINING YOU OF ENERGY AND PASSION, DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE and CREATE A DREAM-COME-TRUE LIFE FOR YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU LOVE!, then this might be the most important information you'll ever read. Here's why:
THE DREAM COACHING PROCESS USED AT PERSONAL TRANSFORMATIONS WAS DESIGNED BY MARCIA WEIDER, AMERICA'S DREAM COACH®! FEATURED ON THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, MARCIA HAS MADE IT HER LIFE'S WORK TO AWAKEN THE AMAZING DREAMER INSIDE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US! IF FOLLOWED WITH DILIGENCE AND COMMITMENT, IT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE!
Now, I know you're probably skeptical. That's normal and healthy.
Three Reasons To Believe What I Say. . .
Reason one: As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Dream Coach®, I have supported people just like you in achieving their dreams and goals for the past 17 years.
Reason two: Marcia's program is clear and easy to follow, divided into ten well-defined steps, and incredibly successful in assisting you in getting clear about your dreams, eliminating the stumbling blocks to achieving them, creating new beliefs, and taking action steps toward an incredible future.
Reason three: As your Certified Dream Coach®, I will support you every step of the way as you create the life you were destined to live. I believe in YOUR DREAMS!
Here is a summary of the benefits you'll receive from working with me:
1) A Dedicated Coach Who Will Be A Champion for Your Dreams!
*****You will get the support and accountability you need to make things happen!
2) A Successful Ten Step Program to Guide You!
*****You can work at a comfortable pace, always knowing you are headed in your desired direction.
3) Suggestions for Great Reading to Jumpstart Your Transformation!
*****You'll benefit from some of the best minds in the personal growth field.
4) A website, two blogs, and free newsletters to help motivate you.
*****When you need a little nudge, the supportive tools will help get you going!
5) Transformation Groups
*****You can join a group geared toward your particular interest and learn from your coach and other group members.
Now, you're probably wondering how and why we can do all those things.
Let me explain.
You can work with a coach in person or over the phone, individually or in a group. During your sessions, you'll learn to set clear intentions, develop the ability to know, without a doubt, that you can count on yourself, understand your purpose, design a dream that matters to you, make peace with your doubter, create strong beliefs that empower you, design strategies to move your dream forward, take action steps toward your dream, surround yourself with a "dream team," and live your life as a visionary. Check out some of the pages on my website, Personal Transformations, for more detailed information on the Dream Coaching Process and the Transformation Groups!
You can't lose with my 100%, iron-clad, money-back guarantee!
If you aren't absolutely thrilled with your progress after working through the ten-step "Making Your Dreams Come True®" program with your Certified Dream Coach® or as a member of one of our Transformation Groups, I'll refund 100% of your money!
Don't let your dreams slip away.
A year from now, how do you want to be living your life?
Call (708) 717-5327 and get started on the adventure of a lifetime!
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