Self-esteem is so fragile! We are dealing with issues surrounding this with our oldest daughter and she is only 6. The book itself is very practical and held some great ideas and tips to improve poor self-esteem and help people feel better about themselves. Many of the things that were suggested made perfect sense and were things that made me think "of course”. I was impressed with the amount of things that were so easy to integrate into practice! I enjoyed the simple exercises and though many were geared toward older people, I augmented them to work with my eldest daughter as well, and I think they are working! I think all of us at one time or another have dealt with issues regarding low self esteem, and this book puts it all into perspective. I highly recommend this book to anyone! Add Comment In New Zealand, nurses worked with parents who had been abused as children. Every week they gathered for a cup of tea, a lecture on child-rearing, and an exercise called the "WEATHER REPORT." This is "The Grand Finale" at my presentations. This is a fun way to give your kids the attention they deserve. There's only one rule: The person receiving the attention is in charge of the experience and should give feedback. ("Stop that." "Harder." "Softer." "More!")) • Snowflakes-Tap your fingertips lightly on the other person's head, shoulders, and back. • Raindrops-Tap your fingertips simultaneously and harder than you did before. (Remind the receiver to speak up if it doesn't feel good.) • Hailstones-Same as raindrops, but with greater intensity. (Remember you are doing this to "inflict" pleasure, not pain.) • Thunderclaps-With cupped palms, clap your hands across the person's back and shoulders. It makes a good noise. Do not slap. • Lightning Bolts-The outside part of your hand moves back and forth across the shoulder muscles. Stay away from the bones. • Eye of the Tornado-Circle your thumbs across the person's shoulders and down either side of the spine. • Tidal Wave-Slide your hands in long strokes up and down their arms and across the back. • Calm After the Storm-Rest your hands on their shoulders and breathe deeply. Slowly lift your hands about one-half inch and pause. This is a sweet bedtime ritual for youngsters-good for connecting, relaxing, and dissolving the tensions of the day. Your kids will ask for it by name. Thanks to Amy Chua’s controversial new book, parenting is now in the national spotlight. Her experiences illustrate that patterns tend to repeat from one generation to the next. I also had a harsh and severe upbringing. Unlike Chua, however, I vowed that I would never treat my children the way that I had been treated, and repaired the negative family patterns. The consequences of negative parenting extend beyond adolescence and adulthood, even into future generations, along with fear, shame, guilt, low self-esteem, and isolation. Asian-American women between 15 and 24 years of age have the highest suicide rate of women of any race or ethnic group. (Department of Health and Human Services) Researchers conclude that a large factor is family pressure—to get only As’, or for girls “to be the perfect mother and daughter and wife as well." (CNN, Elizabeth Cohen) There is a powerful relationship between the emotional experiences of children, and the physical and mental health of adults. “Threats, manipulation and excoriation set the stage for children who grow up to be depressed, anxious and hollow.” (Dr. Madeline Levine, author of The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids) In order to raise healthy youngsters we must shift from a fear-based parenting style to a nurturing, love-based style. Communication skills are necessary for meeting children’s emotional needs and developing positive connections. Positive emotional connections and experiences are the basis of enduring physical and mental health. Positive parenting gives us an opportunity to reinvent families. According to Invest in Kids/Canada, the keys to positive parenting are Comfort, Teach and Play™. Positive parents who use the democratic leadership style forge a solid foundation for lifelong respectful, loving relationships. The nurturing, uplifting, “positive parenting” approach based on dignity and respect, accountability and positive discipline, is crucial to creating healthy adults and a healthy society. Childhood lasts only a few years, but the experience lasts a lifetime. Parents more than anyone else have the power and responsibility to shape children’s lives and help them thrive. Holistic Parenting and Self-Esteem 02/08/2011
During a recent interview on Holistic Children Radio, Cathi Curren and I discussed self-esteem—what it is and what it is not. Self-esteem is NOT about telling children that every little thing they do is wonderful. Self-esteem does NOT mean letting children do whatever they want. Self-esteem is NOT about giving stars or insincere praise. Many parents are afraid to say "no", thinking that it will damage their child's self-esteem. They fail to hold them accountable and let them get away with bad behavior. Listen to the interview! Webinar with Every Child Healthy 02/08/2011
After 25 years of teaching parenting classes, I finally did my first webinar! Every Child Healthy is a wonderful organization supporting Michelle Obama's initiative with all sorts of information on how to help weight-challenged kids. Click to watch my Every Child Healthy Webinar! Holistic Parenting and Self-Esteem 02/08/2011
 The award winning artist, Sue Rama wrote: "I have had the privilege of redesigning and illustrating this very wise book that has been helping children to learn to live more sanely for a generation. Not a fluffy feel-good book, this is the real deal, training children to recognize, manage, and talk about their feelings. I think it would be wonderful if all children got to study these useful instructions for life on earth. "Liking Myself is due to be published by Boulden Publishing in March. I am currently redesigning and illustrating a companion book, The Mouse, The Monster and Me, Assertiveness for Young People." Here's a letter from a mom who attended my presentation a couple of years ago: “I worked so hard to keep my family together. I was living with a dysfunctional man, and then realized my own dysfunction. When I stopped trying to keep my family together at all costs and shifted my mind-set, we divorced. Then I channeled all of my energy towards healing myself and unwinding the damage done to my young children ages 5, 5 and 8. I decided the most important thing was to create a healthy family dynamic. “Even though I was still very raw, I attended Louise Hart’s lecture hosted by the local twins club. Louise’s words spoke to me. I related deeply to her personal story, as it was so similar to mine. I purchased her books - “On the Wings of Self-Esteem” and “The Winning Family.” I have integrated the principles of The Winning Family into all aspects of how we work as a family. They have been a key part of my healing and recovery. "Fortunately, I had the courage to lead my family. Now we are thriving! Turning around my family after my divorce is one of the greatest satisfactions of my life." Stop "Shoulding" On Yourself! 12/18/2010
Early in December we celebrated my birthday, then had a Chanukkah celebration with my son’s family. Next week we’ll celebrate the Solstice at my home, and then Christmas with my daughter’s family. So many traditions and so many ways to celebrate them. It can be fun and exciting—and it can also be overwhelming! Here is a short activity from The Winning Family to help you manage the numerous things you need to do during this holiday season:
When you next hear you “shoulding” on yourself, stop and ask yourself what you choose to do. Notice the difference. From "Who's Pulling Your Strings?" Chapter 21 of The Winning Family, by Louise Hart. How Parents Can Curb Bullying - Webinar! 12/10/2010
Click here: http://apps.attainresponse.com/MediaF5/liveRecording.htm?id=183684 to view the webinar I recorded this morning for Every Child Healthy Network - "How Parents Can Curb Bullying." This webinar is about an hour long interview with me by "Coach Carl" Logrecco, and has valuable information on protecting your children from bullying. | Author Louise Hart has an Ed.D. in the prevention-based field of Community Psychology. A thought leader in positive parenting, she has spoken at over 400 conferences, hospitals, schools, communities and army installations across America and abroad. ArchivesJanuary 2012 CategoriesAll |
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