by Jennifer Shakeel
In today’s society it is hard for an grown adult to have high self esteem, so imagine what it is like for a child. Bombarded by images on television, in magazines, billboards as well as the radio that very few people can live up to. It is important that we are teaching our children how to like who they are as people. Liking yourself is what self esteem is.
There are a number of books you can read and books that you can get for your child that all talk about self esteem and how to improve it, but if you are interested in what works the best then you need to take a look at what you are doing as a parent. The best role model in the world is you. How you talk to your child, and respond to what they say has a huge impact on their level of self esteem.
I will never forget the day that my daughter came home and asked me if I thought she was fat. I asked her why she would ever think she was fat, “I don’t look like Britney Spears.” I looked at her and told her that she was an absolutely beautiful 5 year old that had way more going for her then Miss Britney did, and so far I have been right. Yes, I said five years old… she was in kindergarten. It broke my heart really.
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By Dr. Caron Goode
One of most frustrating stages of toddlerhood can be when a child learns to master the word “no.”
Between the ages of 15 and 30 months, a toddler begins to realize that he is a separate person from his parents; a person who has his own will and his own mind. As this realization sets in, a child begins to discover his independence and begins to practice asserting this independence to all who will listen. It’s this stage of development that is usually marked by a child singing a seemingly continuous chorus of a loud and proud “no.”
Although on the surface it may seem that the child is being defiant and difficult, a young child who is constantly saying “no” is in a monumental phase of early childhood development. When parents aren’t coached to recognize this stage for what it is, the result can be frequent power struggles between parent and child.
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Today’s teenagers are constantly subjected to various types of anxiety and stress. Doing a good job parenting can be a challenge in these situations. As parents, church leaders, teachers, activity directors, and any other type of individual that deals directly with teenagers, it is essential to know and understand the amount of stress this age group faces, as well as the potential anxiety that may be experienced. As a parent, it is often difficulty to approach a teenager and discuss the topics of potential anxiety and even basic stress. However, it is not only our responsibility as parents, but necessary for the emotional intellect of our teenage children.
Here are a few ideas that may help in these situations, but first it is important to understand what teen stress and anxiety is, and what are some of the symptoms we can look for.
What is Teen Stress?
In order to talk to your teen about any stress and anxiety that they experience, you must first learn exactly what these two concepts are comprised of. Stress is a way in which the body of an individual responds to situations, circumstances, and other similar aspects to life. While there is often an association of stress being “bad”, there are many types of “good” stress as well. As the teen experiences stress, the body starts to allow various types of chemicals to be released in the body. While having an “outlet” to release stress is very beneficial to the mind and body of the teenager, most teens will hold on to the stress and anxiety because they are not equipped with the coping mechanisms to release it.
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Parenting and being a parent is probably the hardest job a person can have. It involves long hours, sacrifices, and constant adaptability. It is also the most rewarding job any person can have. The method of raising children changes over the years as more and more information is provided and more studies into what works and what does not are presented. There is one thing however that does not change no matter what parenting style you have chosen to use with your children and that is the battles you will have in regards to authority.
It is the nature of children to rise up against their parents on issues when they are younger to see what they can get away with as they grow older to gain their independence. As a parent it is important to know when to stand your ground and when letting the child make the decision for themselves is appropriate.
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And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.Genesis 1:31
When God looks over the earth now, is it still very good, or even good? Our world is troubled by air and water pollution. Many animals are facing loss of habitat and are endangered or extinct. Natural resources such as oil and water are becoming scarcer. People in many parts of the world are facing hunger due to lack of food, while people in other parts of the world are obese due to poor diets lacking natural nutrition.
And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
Genesis 1:28
When God created the world, humans were given a job: to subdue the earth and have dominion over other living things. What exactly do “subdue” and “dominion” mean? Well, going back to the original Hebrew, subdue comes from the word kavash, which means to force someone into a subordinate position, as through a military conquest. Similarly, dominion comes from the Hebrew word radah, whichsignifies the power, control, and authority of one individual or group over another.
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According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, the United States had 902,270 public charities in 2006. You can choose to give you money to help build houses for the poor, find cures for diseases, protect endangered animals, or help children learn to read. The problem isn’t finding a charity to support, but narrowing down your options and choosing the one you find most worthy.
Of the almost one million charities registered in the U.S., many support children in one way or another. If you want to use your charitable dollars to help children, which is the best charity to choose? It can be a very difficult decision. Any of the following 25 charities (organized alphabetically) are a great place to start. Some you have surely heard of, while others may be new to you.
1. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Center
AVID is an educational program that helps C and D students improve their chances of getting into college. Students, most of whom are underprivileged, can begin the program as early as the fourth grade. They work with specially trained teachers and tutors to learn organizational and study skills and develop critical thinking abilities. Ninety-five percent of AVID graduates go to college, and 85% remain enrolled in college after two years.
AVID is active in 1,500 schools in 21 states and 15 countries. For more information, visit
www.avidonline.org.
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Schools out and summer is finally here. How are you going to keep your child occupied and at the same time stimulate their young minds? Summer can be a fun and exciting time for children and their families. Generally, a break is given over the summer months and educational lessons are ceased until the fall. If you are a homeschooling parent, and interested in supplementing your childs education, it is important to know and understand that while the traditional lessons do not fit into the scheme of summer, it does not mean that learning has to cease. There are many fun summer projects you can do with your child! Here are some fun summer activites and projects for your child. If you are at a loss for extra projects and activities, this may the right read for you!
Plant a Garden
Planting a garden is a very popular fun summer projects for homeschoolers. The family can decide together what type of garden is to be planted. They may choose to plant an herb garden, a flower garden, or even a vegetable garden. Then, all of the supplies should be gathered and everyone should play a large role in creating and planting. Family members should also take the time to assist in the maintenance of the garden as well. Not only can children enjoy learning about how things grow, they can develop a sense of accomplishment once they see their gardens grow! Don’t forget to take plenty of random pictures while the children care for the new garden!
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As a parent one of the most nerve racking experiences we have to do is find a reliable and trustworthy babysitter. Someone that we can believe will do a good job taking care of our child or children whether it is for a few hours on an as needed basis or someone the is going to care for them daily while we are working.
Here we are going to offer a number of tips for you to help you interview a potential babysitter. I recommend asking these questions whether you are looking at hiring a teenager or an adult.
First, do a prescreening call prior to setting up an interview with the potential babysitter. During this prescreening phone call you want to ask the following questions when interviewing a potential babysitter:
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