THE COMEBACK:

I ‘M JUST TELLING IT LIKE IT IS.

WAIT YOUR TURN THE ADULTS ARE SPEAKING.

THE MESSAGE:

Self-esteem is your overall opinion of yourself; how you feel about your abilities and limitations. When you have healthy self-esteem, you feel good about yourself and see yourself as deserving the respect of others. When you have low self-esteem, you put little value on your opinions and ideas.

Every child starts out with a high level of self-esteem. Most children believe they can become anything they want and achieve anything to which they aspire.

TONY TODAY:

Most children benefit from good relationships, experiences and positive thinking. It is never too early to consider their mental health. Parents play a crucial role in guiding the development of a child’s self-confidence and emotional strength and balance. Parents can’t always recall how they felt and thought when they were children. Some parents are cursed with the memory of an unhappy or even ‘tortured’ childhood.

Self-esteem is not inherited or developed by receiving undeserved praise or handouts. It is the result of real achievement and the knowledge that you did it on your own. Our systems don’t seem to understand this concept when schools institute a no failure policy.

No parents want to see their child fail or be cut from a team; however, some of the best lessons in life come from a real understanding when the child admits ‘I just didn’t do my best." The child resolves to try harder and prepare more next time.

Trial and Error Learning is valuable. Self-esteem develops from the knowledge that failures along the way have consequences but this does not mean that love is withheld. A child needs to learn how to handle successes and failure equally well. Humility and Self-esteem go hand in hand.

A child is totally vulnerable. Hopefully the baby grows with the trust that he or she will be well cared for. That care will decide the future ability to develop ‘self-esteem’. Is there anything more precious than innocent children? Is there anything more rewarding than watching a child grow into an independent, successful adult? Remember however, not to handicap your children by making their lives too easy.

THE MUSIC: