Parenting - Building Self-Esteem and Confidence

What are some of the characteristics of a healthy home?
* Setting concrete expectations
* Teaching and showing respect for all family members
* Open and honest communications
* Setting priorities as a family
* Love and honesty
* Consistant Routines and Rituals
* Parents who show authority, but are not authoritative.
* Setting clear boundaries and expectations
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Don't take life too seriously. It is ok to be silly and it is definitely more than ok to play with your kids. Getting dirty is the favorite past-time of most small children, and what would make it even more fun is to do it right along with their parents!
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Young kids are like sponges, so what you say and do is absorbed into their minds. When a mistake is made or an accident occurs it is very important how you respond in voice and body language. Positive feedback, even when things or actions are negative is important. Always look for something positive and uplifting to say. The examples you set today will help build your childrens behaviors as they grow up.
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I heard Al Gore say once, and I am paraphrasing, "If your babies crib is on fire, you don't speculate that the baby is flame-retardant". What did I learn from this? Use your gut instinct, and don't always think about parenting, just do what seems to come naturally and see what happens, most of the time it will be the right decision.
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- Be a parent first and a friend second. Kids need parents to look up to and set boundaries.
- Hug and kiss your child every day.
- Offer praise on a task well done as well as stars for high marks in school.
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Teach your children to welcome change and adopt new attitudes and changed behaviors in their everyday life. Teaching your child to overcome fears of change may also involve you coming to grips with your rigid thinking and actions.

A child who grows up into an adult by accepting change as a way of living becomes someone that welcomes change as a healthy functioning person. That child will be on the road to a very fulfilling life.
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Learn how to praise your child. For even the most regular and simple events of your child's day, use praise over and over again. Remind your children everyday of their lives that what they are doing right is important and meaningful.

Let them know that they already have purpose. Praise them until you cannot praise them enough.

1) Establishing a safety net for the child with your presence, nurturing reassurance and empathy.
2) Walking through the steps to face those fears together.

When your child is faced with a problem try these steps with your child:

1) Identify the problem.
2) Think through options.
3) Always identify consequences of each option.
4) Listen in silence without trying to fix.
5) Teach them how to assert themselves if that is needed.
6) Appreciate their interests and efforts.

Kids have a natual love of music. We introduced our son Kailan to music and music classes at an early age. Science says music can help a childs creativity and intelligence. When  a child is sad, a good energetic and fun tune can cheer them up. A good tune can help make a long car ride more fun and a childrens part more memorable. Just think of all the song we remember from childhood such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "Itsy Bitsy Spider". Music is imbeded in our culture and the earlier a child is exposed to music the more positive the impact can be.

So what is personalized music? Personalized music such as the one in the album to the left has your child's name sung into the songs. Kidz Tunes, for example, consists of 9 different personalized songs. One song includes the ABC's and another the counting the numbers 1 to 10. Children tend to learn more when they are personally involved and what could be funer then hearing their name in an song of the ABC's or counting from 1 to 10? To view our selection of personalized music Visit and View the More4kids Personalized Childrens Music Collection. ** Make sure to check the list to see if your child's name is availble **.