A Parent's Responsibilities
To increase the child's sense of confidence
To teach the child self-control
To teach the child to make good decisions
To teach the child to be independent and interdependent, but not dependent
To teach the child the skills necessary for making and maintaining relationships
To foster the recognition, importance and development of inner qualities
To build a parent-child relationship that conveys the clear message that the child is important and is loved, even when things at home or at school are not going well


1. Quality Time
2. Behavior Management
It has been said that parents give their children over 200 requests a day. No wonder that sometimes they don't hear us. Instead of nagging or shouting at your child to complete a task or to obey you, take action. For example, perhaps you have told your child repeatedly to unroll her socks before putting them in the laundry hamper. She fails to comply. Instead of more nagging, try laundering only the socks that are unrolled. Your child will get the message.
Your child tests you by throwing a temper tantrum or speaking disrespectfully to you. What do you do? Walk away! Let your child know that you will be in the next room if he wants to try again.
As a parent, you've probably been in this situation many times. You and your child are in a store, and your child asks for candy. You say, "No, it will spoil your lunch." The child persists, and begins to scream and cry. What do you do? First, before going into the store, make it very clear that you are not going to buy candy. Second, if the crying starts, do not give in. Your child will respect the fact that your no means no, and your yes means yes.
Encourage Good Behavior
Smile at your child.
Offer your child a hug.
Praise good behavior.
Watch her while she practices a musical instrument.
Acknowledge your child with a nod when he enters the room.
Put a happy face sticker on her hand.
Read a book or watch TV with your child.
Write a note to your child acknowledging his effort.
Watch her sports and games.
Write a letter to a friend at the same table where your child is studying or doing his homework.

3. Teaching Responsibility
Cause and Effect
Give Your Children Appropriate Ways to Feel Powerful
It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, Always do what you are afraid to do. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Developing Self Esteem
Developing a Positive Self Image
-When you catch your child doing something right, praise him to the skies.
-Set limits and be consistent with your discipline. The goal of discipline is to help children choose acceptable behaviors and learn self control.
-Make time for your child. There is probably nothing your child likes more than spending time with you.
-Be a good role model. Before you lash out or blow up in front of your children, stop and think about it. Is this how you want them to behave when they are angry?
-Make communication a priority. Children want and deserve open and honest communication as much as adults do.
-Be flexible. If you frequently feel let down by your child's behavior, it may be because you have unrealistic expectations.
-Show that your love is unconditional. When you confront your child, avoid blaming, criticizing or faultfinding, which undermine self esteem and can lead to resentment. Instead strive to nurture and encourage, even when you are disciplining your child.
-Be aware of your own needs and limitations as a parent. You have your own strengths and weaknesses. Recognize your abilities and vow to work on your weaknesses.
-Positive discipline is also an important factor in the development of a positive sense of self worth.
Promoting Self Esteem
Our self esteem begins to develop at a very early age and continues to develop right through adulthood. When you consider the critical role self esteem plays in our professional and personal lives, it is clear that, as parents, one of our most important jobs is to help our children build a healthy self esteem.br /> Build Your Child’s Self Esteem
Help children to develop a realistic view of themselves. This includes acknowledging their own strengths and weaknesses, and seeing themselves from different perspectives.
It is essential to help children develop problem solving skills. These skills provide a structured way of understanding situations, solving problems, correcting self defeating behaviors and learning self control.
Provide structure. Children need clear, consistent, specific limits and consequences that are developmentally appropriate. Structure helps children develop self discipline and self control.
Give children appropriate responsibilities to develop their sense of personal competence.
Use encouraging parenting practices, such as showing confidence in your children, building on their strengths, valuing them for who they are, and stimulating independence.
Avoid discouraging parenting practices, such as setting negative expectations, focusing on mistakes, demanding perfection, and being overly protective.
Separate your child's behaviors, accomplishments and mistakes from who he or she is as a person.
Minimize criticism.
Build on children's strengths. Acknowledge what they do well, give credit for strengths and focus on improvements -- not perfection.
Appreciate each child's uniqueness.
Model the desired and appropriate behaviors in your family.
Learn to listen to your child. Take time each day, without interruptions, to understand what is on your child's mind and how she or he is feeling.