Sunday Post: Stairway to Self-Esteem

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Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is STAIRWAY.

I always try to tie in the theme with something related to parenting.  Since the dictionary defines “stairway” as a passageway from one level to another by a series of steps, I’ve decided to outline the basic components or “steps” in the stairway to building a strong self-esteem that are found in the introduction to Show Me How!

How can we help our kids navigate the passageway of childhood and achieve a positive self-image?

What steps does a child have to climb to reach a level of high self-esteem?

  1. MASTER TASKS AND SKILLS…Let your child help around the house.

2.  VALUE ONE’S OWN STRENGTHS AND QUALITIES…Encourage your child in different pursuits.

 

3.      FEEL APPRECIATED, LOVED AND ACCEPTED…Spend loving and positive time with your child.

 

4.      LEARN TO EXPRESS FEELINGS…Allow your child to talk about his joy, anger and sadness.

 

5.      ACKNOWLEDGING AND COPING WITH FEARS…Share things you were afraid of as a child.

 

6.      FEELING GOOD ABOUT ONE’S BODY AND ONESELF…Celebrate the gift of life and dance.

 

I just got back from spending a glorious week in New Hampshire, taking care of my three-year old grandson.  His favorite book: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.  His favorite game: Soccer/kick ball.  His favorite TV show: Peppa Pig.  His favorite foods: Fresh strawberries and bananas. 

It was hard to leave to come home…I’m already looking forward to my next trip.

Here are a few websites with other resources and info on helping children build healthy self-esteem:

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/self_esteem.html

http://life.familyeducation.com/self-esteem/parenting/34401.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/child-rearing-and-development/12-ways-help-your-child-build-self-confidence

http://www.livestrong.com/article/246770-self-esteem-building-exercises-for-children/

The SMH Library Project:

 

We are in the final two weeks of the Show-Me-How Library Project, so if you haven’t done it already, please nominate your favorite library in the comment section!  Twenty-five libraries will receive a free copy of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.  NOMINATIONS CLOSE April 30!  Don’t let your library lose out on the chance of getting this award-winning resource for parents and teachers and your entire community.  A big thank you to all of those who have already spread the word about out this great opportunity via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterist, Google+ or by mentioning it in your posts!

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

 http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/ 

And here are some other bloggers who are doing Jake’s Sunday Post:

http://p0nky.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/sunday-post-stairway/

http://motherwifestudentworker.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/weekly-sunday-post-stairway/

http://nprimopiano.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/stairs-2/

http://davidrwetzelphotography.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/sunday-post-stairs/

http://catbirdinoman.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/the-sunday-post-stairway/

http://imagesoftheheart.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/sunday-post-stairway/

http://orples.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/sunday-photo-challenge-stairs/

I also wanted to mention that today is Earth Day 2012…how will you help observe this special day?  Children can get involved in local park and playground cleanups.  Perhaps you can take a walk around your community…bring a big plastic garbage bag so that everyone can help pick up litter.  Maybe there are special events going on in your neighborhood…why not check them out.

http://act.earthday.org/

http://www.earthday.org/2012

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37 thoughts on “Sunday Post: Stairway to Self-Esteem”

    • Hi to you, Emily 🙂
      Thank you…I know, from all I have read of your amazing blog (and your picture books), that you are a wonderful mother to Caleb…he is a lucky little boy!
      Have you received your copy of Show Me How yet? I know it can take a long time when shipped overseas…and Singapore is about as far as it can go. 🙂

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  8. Hi, Vivian. I loved your comment on my blog “Washing Away The Dust of Life.” I brought back such memories of my grandchildren at the age of three. If this is the place to nominate libraries, I would like to submit the Old Colorado City Library on the Westside (Colorado Springs). It’s among the smallest in the Pikes Peak Library District, but it’s our favorite. The staff is helpful and encouraging, especially to children who are in the early stages of discovering and choosing books to read or have read to them. Parenting books are precious assets to the process. Thank you for entering the Westside Library in the list.

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    • I loved your post, Marylin!
      Thank you for your kind words about mine…and I am so very happy to add the Old Colorado City Library in Colorado Springs to the list of nominees. We don’t get over there too often…but it is a charming old building. I know that the three copies that are in the Pikes Peak Library District catalogue are almost always out on loan…so adding another one for the Westside branch would be great for the community. 🙂

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    • Thank you, Milka! I awoke every morning energized…eager to spend the day with Jeremy…and was definitely ready for bed when his head hit the pillow at night. Parenting a young child is joyful…but tiring. 🙂 When I look back now to the time when my children were little, I sometimes wonder,”How did I do that?” 🙂

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  11. Oh my, I enjoyed this post so much. I love the stairway to achieving positive self-esteem I am glad that I am in the right road with my child towards helping her build self-esteem. Thank you so much for helping me get more confidence in this. Reading you helps me more to get positive acknowledgement that I am doing the right thing for my child 🙂 I so love the picture for the 6th step! That’s happiness in pure state!

    Spanish Pinay

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    • Yes you are on the right track, Marilou…that is for sure! And I do thank you for your beautiful words of praise and for your confidence in me and Show Me How! By the way, I will be mailing out your copy of the book on Monday morning…now Show Me How will be in Spain!!!!! I am very excited and happy. 🙂

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  12. Vivian, this post is a marvelous interpretation of ‘stairways’. Childhood is no doubt the stairway to adulthood, so kudos for thinking outside of the box.

    By the way, I would like to throw the Chester branch of the Chesterfield, Virginia County Library into your entry for nomination for your book. Please let me know if you need an address,and I’ll see what I can come up with.

    Congrats on your recent visit with your grandson. Here’s hoping you find the time and resorces for another visit with him soon. 🙂

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    • Hi Marcy,
      So very glad you liked the post…I had lots of fun writing it…you know me…always looking for that parenting connection. 🙂
      The Chesterfield Virginia County Library is now entered…thank you so much for nominating it. You can send me the address info if they are one of the winners. 🙂
      Yes, I have started saving my money again for the next trip…it’s just too bad we are so far apart…but in miles, not in spirit. 🙂
      Thank you for your super-kind words!

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    • Thank you so much, Cassie. I’m happy you added your link. I just came back from your post…awesome! I left you a comment there with info about the Show Me How Library Project. Do you think the book would be at all helpful to people in your community?

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  18. What a brilliant interpretation of “stairway”
    building a child’s self-esteem is so important. I am currently following a blogger expatalogue and she talks about her childhood and the way she was treated. Even though she has her own family now, she talks about mental illness, self harm as a teenager, and all the terrible things she went through. Her parents I think were 5 cents short of a dollar (not all there). She still looks back while trying to look forward.

    Your little grandson looks so cute. I bet he is great fun. It’s so sad when you have to leave them.

    I’m off to France on Wednesday to see my little granddaughter for her first brithday, and our UK family is coming with our other little grandchild. This will be the first time I’ve had them both together and I’m so excited!

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  19. A treasure of a post any parent and grandparent should read. Your grandson is so lucky. He will grow up confident with a lot of heart to give. They say our kids mirror the we are at home. If they see elders who live a life of love, generosity, humility, simplicity. of being sure about themselves in all circumstances, chances are, they will be too. Thank you for being an inspiration for others…best wishes to you and your family.

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    • You made my evening! Thank you so much for your kind words and for visiting my parenting blog. I know I am a very fortunate woman…I love life and people and who I am and who I am becoming…better each day is my hope. 🙂

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