subject: Developing Self Esteem in Youngsters [print this page] When does self esteem begin? Many times we think that self esteem begins in our children when they hit their tween years, not realizing that it really begins at birth. It is developed with the influence of parental attitudes and behaviors right from birth and then continuing on into all the childhood developments.
Their self-esteem is first built by having their basic needs met, including the need for love, comfort, closeness, and support. How children are treated by their parents or primary caregivers sets the stage for how their self-esteem is developed. Young babies and children who feel unloved find it more difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and then carry those feeling on into later childhood and on into their teen years.
Self-esteem or how you esteem yourself or more simply what you think about yourself?' is hugely important. A teen with low self-esteem is possibly at risk. Teens that become morose, depressed, and have a low opinion of their life and their directions are prone to self-harm.
There are tragic stories about teens that have lost their will to live or have dropped their bundle and given up on school, family and friends. And in many of these situations, the teen involved has a poor level of self-esteem. The only action required here is to boost your teen's self-esteem. Do the right thing, help the young person, and love them.
Improving low self esteem when young can only improve the child's skills, abilities and behaviors. It is not easy. The first and foremost is to accept yourself as what you are. Nobody is perfect and responsible for everything. Accept yourself for who you are. Learn to accept the things that you cannot change and focus on the positive things about yourself. Accepting yourself right now is the key to improve low self esteem. Even though most people think that if they accept them as they are, that they will be stuck and not change, the reverse happens here.
The good news is you can raise great kids if you are equipped with the right tools and information. Focus on building your children's' self esteem and you will raise happy and successful children. And to develop their self esteem, children need three things: attention, autonomy, and limits. Children need to know they are worthy of love and they need to be taken care of. They need to gradually develop so they function independently from their parents. And children need boundaries so they learn proper behavior and develop healthy self esteem.
