SEVEN STEPS -to aHEALTHY SELF-IMAGE

STEP ONE

GIVE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Your child should know that you love her and accept her no matter who she is or what she does. Tell her and show her every day that you love her.

STEP TWO SUPPORT NEW CHALLENGES

Encourage your child to try new things, even slightly risky challenges. Let her try by herself at first, and let her battle a little before stepping in to help.

STEP THREE

HELP HER SOLVE PROBLEMS

Don’t lecture or scold. Instead, try to figure out what went wrong together, and decide on what changes to make for the next time.

STEP FOUR EMPHASISE THE POSITIVE

Be specific and sincere when praising your child. Point out what she did, and tell her that you’re proud of her. This will encourage her.

STEP FIVE SHOW GENUINE INTEREST – LISTEN

Make sure your child knows that her thoughts, feelings, needs and opinions are important to you. Accept and listen without criticism.

STEP SIX

STOP COMPARING. YOUR CHILD IS UNIQUE

Negative comparisons leave your child feeling ashamed, inadequate and jealous. Positive comparisons put her under unnecessary pressure.

STEP SEVEN

SET BOUNDARIES

Well-defined family rules promote feelings of belonging and security. Teach that actions bring consequences, and there should be set punishments for breaking the rules.