| Since it is so crucial that kids grow up believing in | | | | 3) One of the easiest way is to hang up their |
| themselves, I have more tips for you. | | | | pictures on the wall so that visitors can take a look |
| 1) Do not criticize. Criticism can greatly diminish | | | | at them too. Encourage them to take about the |
| confidence. It is easy for parents to say "See, I told | | | | story or idea behind the picture. If your kids are |
| you not to do that and now you are dirty all over." | | | | older, you could embark on a project to write a |
| We need to remind ourselves constantly that | | | | storybook. The child could write on a short chapter a |
| everytime we diminish their self-esteem, it will take | | | | week. They can also hang up short articles or jokes |
| us a lot more effort to restore it. Or even worse, | | | | on the wall. |
| we leave it as it is and the child will hesitate to do | | | | 4) Communicate with your child as much as possible. |
| new things in future. If you have nothing good to | | | | You will need to know what they are feeling and |
| say, it is better not to say anything. Talk to children | | | | thinking before you can decide on the next course of |
| about their mistake in a positive way. | | | | action. Most parents spend time and money attending |
| 2) What is your first reaction when you see your | | | | courses to find out about how to deal with their |
| child in your room full of lipstick on his lips and all your | | | | children when the most important thing they need to |
| lipsticks are spoilt? Will you start screaming at him? | | | | do is to spend more time with them. |
| Most of us would. Then you would have fallen into | | | | 5) Help children to find their own interest and build on |
| their trap. What should you do then? Make them | | | | it. Try not to emphasize on perfection and |
| clean up the mess, even if it takes half the day. The | | | | competition. Instead focus on doing their best and |
| child have to pay for the lipsticks by either not | | | | enjoying the process. The process is just as |
| having a new toy or no Macdonalds for the next two | | | | important ,if not more important than the result. |
| months. Screaming at them does not really help as | | | | Children will realize that there are so many things to |
| they already feel frightened when they know you | | | | learn on the way which are so valuable to them. |
| have found out the truth. Let them learn that they | | | | Cheng Cheng is a parenting expert with two boys |
| have to be responsible for what they do. If they can | | | | age 5 and 6. She has learnt a lot from books and |
| come up with their own punishment (which you are | | | | other mothers. She hopes to share her experiences |
| agreeable to), that would be better. | | | | and knowledge which will definitely be useful to you. |