Dignity and Self-Respect

"You are your most important resource. You always carry yourself with you." - Virginia Satir

Virginia Satir, a gifted therapist and teacher, was a champion of self-esteem. She taught that dignity and self-respect were essentials for a responsible and fulfilling life. This is why it is so important to build our children up and never tear them down, not matter how frustrated we may be with their behavior. We must learn to set limits and establish discipline without doing damage to their dignity self-respect.

APPRECIATION IS A WONDERFUL THING

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." -Voltaire

Whenever we express appreciation to others, we recommit ourselves to those same values and principles. Appreciation is a powerful antidote to discouragement, despair and poor self-esteem. Children who feel appreciated by their parents are happier and more productive. They are also more cooperatives and cheerful. As parents it's easy to become so preoccupied with trying to correct our children's behavior that we fail to appreciate them. Make a point to tell your children each day what to appreciate about them. It is not enough to simply know that you appreciate them, is important to tell them.

Your Child's Self-esteem

"The best chance the child has of securing a level of high self-esteem is to have parents who possess it, model it, and want to instill it in their children." - Bettie Youngs

Modeling good self-esteem is one of the most important things that parents can do for their children. Children learn more from who we are than what we say to them. Self-esteem is an internal resource that enables your children to meet the challenges they face. Without healthy self-esteem, children are less able to benefit from their native intelligence or athletic skills.