What Are You Feeding Your Child s Emotional Appetite?

Whatever your child's talents, you can help him feelfailure.
loved and therefore empowered to do whatever he4. From an early age, encourage your child to be
desires. This involves concentrating on your interactionindependent, doing things for himself, starting with the
and personal relationship with your child, the languagesmallest of tasks like hanging his coat up, right up to
you use, the love you show, the trust and responsibilityrunning errands and finding a job. Giving kids
you bestow upon him, and just being happy with himresponsibility gives them power and the knowledge
whatever his likes and dislikes, and whoever he is.that you consider them to be responsible and
The way we think influences how we feel, ourtrustworthy. If you're always coming from a position of
self-esteem and our achievement. I'm sure many of usdistrust or little confidence in his abilities, then he will
can recall times when we had a thought, like forrespond accordingly.
example, "I know I will let the team down again", and5. If a child wants to do something for himself, then let
then, true to our word, we do just that. So beinghim (within reasons of safety, of course). Unless you
conditioned to have positive thoughts rather thancan find a compelling reason not to, always say 'yes'
negative can make all the difference to us achievingto their willingness and enthusiasm in doing things for
our goals, and even when a child is good at something,themselves. It shows you believe in them and gives
he can achieve so much more and even be the best,them the confidence to try new tasks.
if he believes he can do it.Have you noticed that when you're happy people smile
So how can we foster such a belief in our child?at you? It's because the way you are feeling on the
1. Express your love to your kids, no matter what theirinside shows on the outside, even if you are not
age. As they reach teenage, this is something we mayaware of it yourself. What we feel on the inside is
not do as frequently. Always let them know you loveprojected outwards from us. Likewise, in order to love
them - it is your close, trusting and stable relationshipothers and give love to others, we must first love
with them that is the strong foundation on which theyourselves. Being happy and having a positive attitude
can build, and achieve, anything in their lives.and self-esteem are more important than anything else
2. Our language is powerful. Children respondbecause they are the foundations on which we and
tremendously to positive praise when they do anythingour children can build in order to do and achieve
good or well, but equally as important is your willingnessanything in our lives, because to be successful in
to overlook the things they don't do so well. Alwayscareer, business, education or anything, we must be
look for, draw upon and build upon, the best, ratherable to build relationships with others.
than the weaknesses in your child.So rather than worrying about what your child is
3. We've all met the over-zealous parent who pushesachieving or not achieving, concentrate on your
his child to be good at lots of things, to do his best ininteraction and personal relationship with your child.
absolutely everything, and have high standards. It'sChildren will always have their strengths and
good for children to know, however, that they don'tweaknesses, be particularly gifted in certain things, and
have to be good at absolutely everything, and thatconfusingly clumsy and slow in others. Whatever his
they respect their limitations. A child who feels he hastalents, you can help your child feel loved and
to be something he's not, will feel disheartened and atherefore empowered in whatever he desires to do.