Building a Child's Self Esteem, Compliment Don't Criticize

Self Esteem is extremely valuable. If your child has a good sense of self-worth he or she will be less likely to give into peer pressure, and more likely to be successful, have healthy relationships, and excel in general. I find self-esteem, high or low, stems from how a child is treated at home. Parents with a good sense of self-worth seem to, in most cases, pass that on to their children, where parents who suffer from a low self-esteem seem to pass that on to their children as well.

If we look at families who have a low self-esteem there is one thing that seems to be a common thread-criticism. Parents often think that if they tell a child what he or she is doing wrong, and if only they would do blah blah instead, this will change the child's behavior. In most cases the opposite happens. The child, or anyone for that matter, usually knows what they are doing is undesirable, criticism only frustrates them, making them feel less loved, less cared about, and lowers their self-esteem.

What is the alternative? Sincere praise. Praise goes a long way in building a child's self-esteem. We need to tell our children daily how wonderful they are, and acknowledge their successess. Think about a time when you have received recognition for a job well done. Now think about a time when someone criticized something you had done. Which of the two motivated you to perform better? Most likely it was the time you received praise. Our children are no different.

Many times the child who acts up more, and makes it harder to find things to praise him or her for, is the child who needs praise the most. If you are having a difficult time finding things to praise this child for, start by making a list of 10 things you like about this child, or person. Then find opportunities through out the day to compliment that child on those things. Compliment when you want to criticize. Suprise your child. I promise you will see a difference in him or her.

As parents we love our children very much and want the best for them. We want them to be the best they can be, and criticism seems to come so natural to some. But criticism is not an affective way to help our child become that great person they were born to be. Change the criticism into compliments, and fill your child with self-esteem.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today. I hope that things that I have shared today have been inspirational. My hope is that we can all continue to learn and practice true principles enabling us to live a happier, more peaceful life.

Until next time,
Daneece

10 Secrets to a Happy Marriage

My husband and I have been married close to 14 years. They truly have been the best years of my life and each year becomes better than the last. You may be asking yourself "Can that be true?" Yes, it is true. How can that be? I asked myself just that while preparing a presentation on marriage for members of our church.
I came up with 10 things, or secrets as I like to call them, that we have practiced in our marriage. I want to share these secrets with you. Here goes.

1. Kiss each other often

2. Become best friends

3. Practice tolerance

4. Forgive

5. Avoid criticism

6. Put God first

7. Spend time alone with each other

8. Look at your spouse with spiritual eyes

9. Be a place of refuge for your spouse

10. Love always

By putting these 10 things into practice you will find your marriage relationship growing into something more beautiful then you could ever imagine. Don't let this list overwhelm you. Maybe there is a lot in your marriage that is not where you want it to be. Do not be discouraged. Pick just one of these secrets and start there. When that secret becomes a habit pick another one. If your desire is to have a happy marriage, and you are willing to pay the price, you will receive what you desire.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today. I hope that things that I have shared today have been inspirational. My hope is that we can all continue to learn and practice true principles enabling us to live a happier, more peaceful life.

Until next time,
Daneece

Proverbs 29:2

Here we are in the year 2008, another presidential election soon to be upon us. If you are like me you may feel bombarded by all the political propaganda. You may have already decided on who you are voting for, and the negative ads against that person provoke negative feelings, or you may find yourself arguing with those of a different view point. How should we make the decision of who we vote for? Should we believe the ads we see on tv, radio or in the newspaper? Should we just not vote? I would argue that not voting is not the best choice. We need to take our voting rights serious and study the issues and the candidates, but how? What do we look for? Who do we believe? I want to pose an idea? Take some time to study the candidates lives? Have they lived a life of virtue and honor? Have they lived a life of principle? Proverbs 29:2 reads,

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."

If we reflect back on history a moment we can find that to be true. How was life under Hitler? What about under Abraham Lincoln? One defended freedoms, another used force and control. Do we want the next leaders of our country, states, and towns to rule by controlling us, or defending our freedoms?

Let's reflect back on the word righteous. If we replace "the righteous" with "those who lived principle based lives" we can get a different perspective. True principles are taught in many cultures and religions. True principles do not change because one is Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, or Christian. Honesty is always honesty, patience is always patience, peace is always peace, integrity, fidelity, responsiblity, perseverence, charity, these are all universal principles.

Let's take these universal principles and see how those who wish to be in political positions live them. Not just in public, but maybe, may I suggest more importantly, in private.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today. I hope that things that I have shared today have been inspirational. My hope is that we can all continue to learn and practice true principles enabling us to live a happier, more peaceful life.

Until next time,
Daneece

Principle Based Happiness

A few months ago I was reflecting on my life purpose and thinking,"What could I do that would add to all the wonderful things that have already been accomplished, spoken, and written by those that have gone before me". Suddenly an idea came to me to share with others what brings happiness into my life, and as I reflected on this I realized that all the peace and happiness in my life was based on true principles. You may be asking at this time what I mean by true principles. I would answer with the words of Stephen Covey. "Principles are guidelines for human conduct that are proven to have enduring, permanent value." Some examples of this are honesty, integrity, kindness, love, tolerance, patience, sincerity. When we practice these things it brings a happiness that is long lasting, not fleeting. For example honesty will always build trust in a relationship where dishonesty will destroy a relationship. Love is edifying where hate is destructive. Think of some examples in your own life where this has proven true.

Some people refer to true principles as natural laws. They are just as real as the Law of Gravity. They exist in every part of our lives. There are physical principles, spiritual principles, financial principles, health principles, every part of our lives is affected by principles or laws. The more we come to understand and put into practice these principles the happier we become. More peace and security comes into our lives, our relationships become richer, our financial situation improves, our health improves, our lives improve. Would you like to improve your life in one, or all of those areas? If so I invite you to come back often and check out my blog. I will be adding links to other sites that you can visit to learn more about living true principles and improving your life.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today. I hope that things that I have shared today have been inspirational. My hope is that we can all continue to learn and practice true principles enabling us to live a happier, more peaceful life.

Until next time,
Daneece