Empowerment: Article Center
The experts weigh in! These articles explore empowerment from all sides, giving you helpful hints and tips to help every member of your family say "I Can!"
Praise That Builds a Child's Self-Esteem
Article By Joan E. LeFebvre, University of Wisconsin
In an effort to enhance their children's self-esteem, parents often use praise to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of their children. Obviously, recognizing our children's positive behavior is more likely to build self-esteem than dwelling on problems. But praise is not always uplifting.
Article by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Back talk--when your teenager rudely tells you that you are a tyrant or an idiot--has to be one of the hardest things for parents to deal with. Respect for parents is highly valued in every culture. Ways of showing respect differ from family to family.
New Pressures on Working Moms, Families
Article By Mary Dulaney (From CareerBuilder.com– May 7, 2009)
In these trying economic times, moms are finding the balancing act between family and work is more challenging than ever.
Study Tells Parents: Let Your Kids See You Fight
Article By Shannon Firth (From Finding Dulcinea– April 4, 2009)
A new study says fighting in front of your children may not be as destructive as experts once thought. Some quarrels may even provide developmental lessons.
Article by Illisa Cohen (From Working Mother - November, 2008)
The iconic song title "Don't Worry, Be Happy" may seem overly simple, but it does send a valuable message about being optimistic — one that applies even to little kids. While research on optimism suggests that it's at least partly genetic, experts also say that we can learn to be more positive, no matter how we're wired.
Self-Efficacy versus Self-Esteem
Article by Dr. Karen Reivich
When our children are upset, our first instinct is often to soothe them with what I call a “self-esteem enhancer:” praise to immediately make them feel better. These statements are often very general, like “you were great!” or “you’re the best!”
How Not to Talk to Your Kids
Article by Po Bronson (from New York magazine—February 2007)
According to a survey conducted by Columbia University, 85 percent of American parents think it’s important to tell their kids that they’re smart.
Article by Robert Barnett (from Parenting magazine—January 2007)
Ask a mom if she's happier now that she has a child and she'll usually say yes. In fact, around the world, children top the list of the most enjoyable things in life.
Resilience: Ingredient List
Article by Dr. Karen Reivich
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, to learn from failure, to be motivated by challenges and to believe in your own abilities to deal with the stress and difficulties in life.