Parenting is hard, but does it all have to be work? NO! With a positive attitude and a little imagination, there are plenty of fun things that can help boost your child’s self-esteem. Here’s just a small list to get your creative juices flowing.
1. Sing loving songs to your child.
2. Sit with your baby or young child on your lap with a mirror in your hand. Allow them to see themselves with you and the love you have for them.
3. Carve out special time just for your child and give them your full attention.
4. Ask your child’s opinion.
5. Ask them to “teach” you something they know.
6. Play.
7. Address them by name.
8. Recognize a special talent and encourage them in it.
9. Set aside a WALL OF FAME in your house to showcase your children’s accomplishments.
10. Plant a garden.
11. Allow your child to be part of the vacation planning.
12. Cook together.
Here is a fun cooking activity we can do with our children. Just like many of you, my sister-in-law, Michelle, made free-hand pancake shapes with her kids - one day she saw the vision and created oven-safe Food Shapers! Now Shape-It’s offers a one-of-a-kind product called The Play With Your Food Kit! All are designed to make playing with your food a mother-sanctioned and memorable family tradition!
Shape-Its food forms are manufactured from an aircraft aluminum alloy that has been specially processed to provide years of durable use with out losing it’s shape. These forms work great for shaping any kind of shapeable food (i.e. pancakes, cakes, cookies, gelatin, ice cream, marshmallows treats, brownies and more.) Each form is easy to clean, dishwasher safe, oven safe to 350 degrees and will not rust. All Shape-Its forms are equipped with folding handles to make storing easy.
Shape-It’s has a wide variety of kits that contain 2-3 Shape-It’s food forms, 2 decorating gels, 2 decorating sprinkles and 4 food-safe markers that come in a clear, re-usable vinyl bag for just $16.99.
Shape-It’s also offers Single Food Forms that kids will love; Animals, Dinosaurs, Holidays, Sea Creatures, Trucks, Trains and Airplanes for only $5.99 or $6.99 each. Place an Order Here.
Michelle has given wonderful suggestions of creative ways to make the cooking experience fun for everyone!
With a little imagination, the above list will grow and grow. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your child’s self-esteem is to just spend time. Time in a busy world speaks volumes.
Tell me how you have fun with your children and boosted their self esteem in the process~
In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time.
Darlene Davis (59)
Toni King (29)
Peter Fuller MBA (25)
Belinda Cunningham (20)
Val Wilcox (16)
June 1st, 2010 at 5:38 am
What a fun idea. In my day, finger food was that which we could throw across the table at my brothers without getting caught. I like this better cause when we got caught playing with our food we got the %#@^ beat out of us. Great post Linda.
Nelson´s last blog ..“Top Cat Clubâ€
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Linda Grace Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 6:20 am
Nelson~
It’s true, times have changed! Some things for the good, some not so good! I’d have to say this is one is for the good!
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June 1st, 2010 at 9:36 am
What a great idea that brings family together in the venture of fixing a meal. Fun for the kids and adults alike! My granddaughters have fond memories of baking cookies with me. Hope they never forget the fun we have doing it. They already have ritual items they add to the mix! L(
Thanks for the great memory in the making,
Val
Val Wilcox´s last blog ..What You Think of Me is None of My Business
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Linda Grace Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 11:49 am
Of course they’ll never forget! These are the memories kids take with them all of their lives! Isn’t it fun watching them get together as adults and tell stories about their past!
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June 1st, 2010 at 10:05 am
Hey Linda lovely post today,
My best times are with my daughter and my aim is to make her a strong, confident women who never lets go of her dreams.
Being a parent is great,
Beth
Beth@Perfectionism, Beth’s Scale of Success´s last blog ..Becoming a Senior Utopian
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Linda Grace Reply:
June 1st, 2010 at 11:46 am
Hey Beth! I know that you are an awesome mother, totally focused on blessing your daughter! I’m happy for you both and I’m excited to read your latest post!
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June 1st, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Linda,
There is no better time spent than quality time with your kids. I’ll have to save the Single Food Forms for grandchildren (hope, hope), because my kids are beyond that stage. But playing a quarter game with my son across the table, or cooking a pie with my daughter is a time I anticipate and can never get enough of!
Darlene Davis´s last blog ..Memorial Day Musing
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June 2nd, 2010 at 11:12 am
Hi Linda,
Great tips on how to spend quality time and grow a great relationship with you children. I think cooking is a great way to connect the whole family. I enjoy doing that with mine.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
Edward´s last blog ..The DREAM Project Begins
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June 9th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
This was a great post! I keep seing parents not taking care of their kids, to be quite frank, with the kid ending up not feeling loved, with bad self esteem, having a hard time talking to other kids etc. The parents I`m talking about should really have a look at these tips! I`ll sure have them in the back of my head if/when I become a parent.
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