Topic: "confidence"
All Hands On (the School) Deck
As we head back to school, my kids’ new teachers never really see me coming. That is until they make what they think is supposed to be a 30-second courtesy introductory call and get lassoed into a 40-minute conversation on curriculum, class structure, homework, discipline practices and the socialization of children. I don’t interrogate them, per se, but I’m very clear that I want to know who will be nourishing my kids’ intellect, character and mental and emotional well-being during the majority of their days. Read More
Learning to Love What We See in the Mirror
“I hate my hair” or “I always look horrible” are common gripes of pre-teens. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of this life stage is often a poor body image – for both boys and girls. And, the truth is, this is understandable as they’re living through a transition within a transition. Read More
The Dynamics of ‘Fitting In’
I’ll never forget the day I realized what it feels like when your child is liked by other kids. It was the beginning of fourth grade and I was dropping my son, Elijah, off at school. After kissing him goodbye, I watched him walk down the school hallway. Naturally shy and not always self-confident, Elijah sometimes struggled to make friends. But as he approached his classroom, the other students greeted him with big smiles, eager to share with him the most important fourth grade news. Even from the back of his head, I could see he was grinning and standing a little taller. I could actually see his self-confidence increase. Read More
Instilling Confidence In My Kids
I get why my mother did what she did. When you’re overworked and way underpaid, and you’re of a generation that thinks kids are to be controlled, rather than reasoned with; and you’re afraid of having to deal with the cascade of hormone-driven adolescent problems that come with being the mom of a girl child, you search for silence. Demand it, even. Talking about tween stuff like periods and first kisses and confidence and beauty wasn’t an option for her, because speaking about it somehow condoned and encouraged a flurry of inappropriate behavior—invited her daughter to be difficult. Read More
Managing the Delicate Transition from Child to Teenager
Wouldn’t it be nice if every baby came with an instruction manual that explained how to ensure your child developed into a confident, self-reliant adult? Although there is no master manual, there are plenty of books with advice for parents of young children as well as parents of teenagers. Unfortunately, the critical tween years often get overlooked. Read More
