Single Parents and the single family: Self-esteem is built by realistic praise. Children know when praise is not realistic.

  Single parents who give realistic praise build self-esteem. The best praise a single parent can give is to  praise their child's judgment.

The more you praise your child, the more self esteem your child will have. This is correct, isn't it?

Not necessarily. Kids have a way of knowing if they have truly earned your acclaim or if you are manipulating them.

Moreover, children can even be confused by excessive praise which serves to lower their self-esteem even further.

Example: you call your son a "genius." He thinks:

• "Does anyone else feel that way about me?"
• "She knows I'm not a genius."
• "It's too much work to be a genius."
• "I know I am not a genius."
• "What does she want now?"

Your unrealistic praise is way out of line. Your child knows he is not that good. He wonders what you want or discounts much of your praise as being ridiculous.

Example: To cheer your daughter on, you don't mention the difficulties (or much of the truth) about her performance in drill team. She does not make the team and is crushed way out of proportion.

Primarily because you told her there was nothing to making the team.

If you want to be accurate as well as being complimentary, practice these steps:

1. Explain that your child has done well and can do even better next time.

2. Don't answer a statement of dissatisfaction with praise. Instead, acknowledge the feelings shown and help your child plan for a better performance next time.

Remember that the best praise for your children is praising their own judgment.

Of course, that can't always happen.

Sometimes their judgment, or society's judgment as mirrored in their eyes, is not the best action or accomplishment to praise.

Example: your six-year-old daughter spends much too much time in front of a mirror. She's cute. You know it and she knows it.

However, the mirror needs a rest and your daughter certainly needs to know there is more to life than appearance. Yet your daughter and  all children need to know their looks are acceptable.

So what do you say when you find your daughter staring away at her reflection?

Try saying, "You look nice today, Letha, but I am really proud of your gymnastics (drawing, etc.) this morning. How did you do that so well?"

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