Articles & News About Family & Children

Back To School: 5 Must Haves

The first day of school, especially in a new school, can be like walking into a horror movie for a child. Feeling out of place, disconnected, and unsure of himself, he steps into the unknown, hopefully concealing the terror that grips his insides. He wonders how he will match up to his peers in making friends, making the grade in his classes, in extra-curricular activities, and on the athletic fields.

As a parent, you can assist your child in moving through those fears by seeing that he has these five items in place.

1. Self Image

The picture your child has of himself tells him who he can and cannot be, what he can and cannot do in life.

Whether he is successful or unsuccessful -- in his own eyes, is a result of whether he sees himself as a success.

Talk with him about his plans for the year. Listen for clues that he places limitations on what he can and cannot be and do. Rather than settle for a reply like, "I can't play sports" ask him if he would like to play sports, or one sport in particular. If you get a "yes" then suggest brainstorming ways he can get better at and enjoy that sport.

Apply the same solution-finding system to any and all areas he mentions.

2. Self Esteem

Self Esteem is how he feels about himself. Either he feels good about himself --and makes choices that please him, regardless of what others think or say -- or -- he feels bad about himself and does whatever he thinks he has to so he fits in.

A child with high self esteem is not vulnerable to peer pressure. A child with low self esteem yields to what others say and follows what they do.

Let your child know he chooses whether to like himself or not, to be happy or sad. Offer help in seeing himself and his life choices. Show him how to view his life from different perspectives.

The big picture brings awareness to how he makes his life look exactly as it does. Let him know he can make different choices and get different results.

3. Confidence

Confidence reflects high self esteem. Regardless of what happens in life -- even during times of horrendous pain and suffering -- if he has high self esteem, your child knows at some point, all will be well. Well does not mean the old way comes back. It means the crisis will pass and life will continue as it needs to.

Does your child act to accomplish his goals, even when he feels fear? Or does he stop and question whether he can succeed -- then talk himself out attempting new things?

Acknowledge every little thing your child does so he appreciates his greatness. If your child only hears praise when he accomplishes something big, he may feel worthless unless he creates big things in life. He also may feel you only value him when he does what you want him to do.

Tell him you love him rather than what he does. And support him in doing whatever passion he pursues. Support means participate, attend events -- go beyond paying for the necessary physical items and lessons.

4. Responsibility

Does your child make his own choices in life and accept responsibility for the outcome? Does he seek advice and opinions and then rely on himself for his final decision?

Assist your child in making decisions rather than making them for him.

5. Contentment

Is your child contented with the choices he makes? Is he decisive -- making choices quickly and sticking to them?

Does he also know that events are just events and we give them meaning?

Show your child he can choose to interpret life events as good or bad. Teach him to look for the good in every person and every situation. You will see more smiles and fewer frowns.

Self image leads to self esteem. Your child's level of self esteem determines his degree of confidence. Whether your child takes responsibility for his life looking as it does or he seeks to blame others and the world, results from his level of confidence. Finally, your child, knowing he controls how his life looks, can choose to a contented life.

Ali Bierman is the proud mother of two great adults. While raising her kids she also enjoyed working in the schools as a volunteer and teacher, on the soccer fields as a coach, and in crisis care as a psychotherapist. She brings her love and experience to parents sharing how to raise kids who can be, do and have anything they want by listening to your heart and following your gut. In addition to speaking and mentoring, Ali Bierman's parenting books include the popular ebook, 17 Parenting Secrets: What Successful Parents Know To find out more and grab your gift, Ali's e-zine Secrets of Successful Parents go here now: http://kidswhocan.com

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

Family Fun: Why You Should Take Your Family Camping
If you are looking for family fun then you should take your family camping. When I was a kid my parents took me on vacations all up and down the Eastern Seaboard. We spent time on the Atlantic Ocean and numerous smaller bodies of water as well as various spots along the St. Lawrence Seaway. We visited many U.S. states and Canadian provinces. My family was not, and still is not, rich but could afford such varied and far-flung vacations because of camping. If you have not before considered camping for your next family vacation then you should consider these reasons why you should take your family camping.

Family Fun Activities: How You Can Have Fun With Your Family
Are you looking for some family fun activities? Do you wonder how to have fun with your family? Family entertainment is often advertised as expensive and requiring a great deal of planning, but the truth is that real family fun is neither. While the family fun activities each family enjoys are unique to each individual family, there are only three simple rules to follow to enjoy fun together: Keep it cheap, keep it simple, and keep it together.

Family Reunion Vacation - A Complete Family Holiday Destination - Finger Lakes
If your idea of a holiday is centered on fun & relaxation then the Finger Lakes is very much the place you've being looking for Finger Lakes derives its name for the fact that it is formed by the presence of 7 lakes and 4 other little bodies of water all of which are long in length, similar to those of a finger

Cruise Travel: How to Have Fun as a Family
Planning your next family vacation Dreading spending ten hours in the car followed by five days dragging your kids to the beach, the hotel pool and a local restaurant that doesn't offer a children's menu

Family Fun Vacation - Disney World Resort Holiday Packages For Family
Incase of you being married and have kids too then there is a high possibility that they would be overjoyed to be able to visit Walt Disney World For the entire family A Disney World Holiday will be the prefect outing, as there are many options of entertainment for all age groups of people, kids as well as parents will thoroughly enjoy their time here

Family Fun Vacation - Philadelphia Family Holiday Reservations
Philadelphia, which is located in Pennsylvania, is one destination that pulls you endearingly to come and visit this superb family destination When you decide on making a Philadelphia vacation there are many options to choose from

Family Cruise: Family Get-Together for Fun
Family Cruise: Happy Times you will not forgetA family cruise is a perfect getaway with loads of fun and excitement for everybody. Whenever you have kids bored with the usual stuff amusement parks, theater and all and your spouse needs a change, plan a cruise.

Family Reunion Vacation - San Antonio Texas Family Holiday Packages
There more than a few reasons that suggest traveling to San Antonio, Texas could be an intriguing trip For beginners, visiting a place that's quite different form the other states of America will be an experience to savior

Family Fun Activities: Why Family Entertainment Is Important For Your Family
Do you spend much time considering the issue of family entertainment? When parents compare notes and questions about parenting, the issue of entertainment rarely comes up. After all, how can family fun compare with such important issues as health, safety, values, nutrition, and education? But family fun is an important issue for parents for three reasons.

Fun For All The Family On Family Holidays In Mauritius
Family holidays in Mauritius may not necessarily be your first choice; a lot of people have the misconception that Mauritius is for couples and honeymooners but that is far from true. Mauritius is the perfect place to take your whole family. It?s not just a beach holiday, there are so many things to do there for adults and children alike that it would be a great holiday for you and your children, no matter what age they are!

All Family Travel Fun and No Fuss at Marriott and JW Hotels and Resorts
Kids eat free with the Escape!® Family Time package - Family travel has never been so easy. From January 24 to April 27, 2008, Marriott® Hotels & Resorts and JW® Marriott Hotels & Resorts, full-service brands of Marriott International, Inc., offers the Escape!® Family Time package for family travel.

Family Life Today - Halloween Family Fun
The traditional Halloween celebrations come round every October 31st, and these days those who enjoy the festivities the most are the children. Halloween is a time to dress up in fancy dress and take to the streets trick or treating. Some families go to a lot of trouble decorating their homes and front yards in a ghostly and eerie Halloween theme.

Family Vacation Idea - Tahoe Family Holidays Are Fun
Lake Tahoe is certainly one of the most beautiful lakes having a splendid panoramic view The entire area is home to various outdoor activities that the whole family can enjoy, and if the family is an outdoor activities buff then that?s even better

Family Reunion Website - A Must For Any Successful Family Reunion
With family members spread across the country and around the world, it becomes more and more important to make use of the Internet to keep everyone up to date with family reunion plans Coordinating schedules, procuring funds to pay for the event and final details can be taken care of as a group, a true family venture and a great start to a successful family reunion