Help me GROW my self esteem!

Appreciate me, don't just praise me. I need you to show me through your gestures, expressions, attitudes, and words that you really think highly of me as a person.

Spend time with me. I want to know that you are fulfilled when you read me stories, hug me, play with me, and work with me. I need to feel that I am worth your time and effort in spite of all that you have to do.

Be clear and consistent about our family's values and rules. If you're too easy, I'll be anxious and angry; if you're too rigid, I'll rebel. I need to see you as an authority, but as accessible too.

I want to be like you--show me--don't just tell me how things ought to be done. I will model how you solve problems, elae to other people, make tough choices, and manage your life. but, please don't forget to be flexible too!

Listen to what I have to say. Encourage me and guide me when I try to solve probems. I will make mistakes and learn from them. Listen to me carefully, understand me. Then, I need to hear your wisdom.

Give me structure. I feel safe when I know what to expect and that my parents are in charge of my world. I learn best when rewards and consequences are applied consistently and appropriate to my age, development and to what I did. Screaming and yelling will only scare me.

Give me choices and the chance to make my own decisions. It allows me to feel good about myself.

Don't leave me out, but don't overwhelm me with adult problems. Explain things to me at a level I can understand. I know that sometimes you are unhappy, but I'm not able to help you with your emotions. This will only make me feel inadequate, sad, and worried.

Challenge me, encourage me, but don't push me too hard. I benefit from learning new skills and trying a ittle harder, but I can become frustrated and overwhelmed if your expectations are out of tune with me.

Don't compare me. If I'm the oldest, somewhere in the middle, or the baby, I am my own person with special interests, abilities and needs. Even if I'm the oldest, remember that I'm still little.

You are the most important persons in my world. If you believe in me I can believe in myself too.

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