This is the continuation from my Saturday reading of Parents magazine. I never have enough on parenting tips. This is how I was once addicted to those readings on parenting. Hey, guess I was really open to new ideas.
Here are some familiar tips on boosting children’s self-esteem:
–Let the child make decision as early as possible.
–Promote problem solving, that is, let the child figure out how. Hold your hand back.
–Look for ways for the children to be of some help to others. The child feels useful and helpful this way.
–Find opportunities for her to spend more time with adult — it is always more challenging to engage in conversation with adults
–Fantasize about the future — being able to imagine themselves in the future really motivates the child. p. 122

On September 2005 issue, there is an interesting article calling on parents to “Practice what you preach: Are you sending your child mixed messages about good values?” p. 36. It is so convenient to tell the children what they should do without the necessary self-reflection. I used to think this is not a problem among most of American parents. I was wrong again. It is really a challenge to remain consistent in what we preach and how we behave. Next time when I say to my children, get off the computer or be helpful to others or don’t use bad words or …, I will first ask myself, am I doing something that I ask them not to do or am I practicing double-standard? No wonder my daughter called me a hypocrite. Jokingly, I hope.

P.S. I never had a chance to talk to the 10-year-old boy after he left for China. He has been kept busy all the time, up at 6 AM and down after 10 PM, never been on computer at all. I talked to my sister. She sounds so upbeat that it really lifts up my spirit. Very positively contagious. Thus ends another happy day.