How to Motivate & Build Your Child's Self-Esteem

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Don't you just love to see a self-motivated child bursting with self-esteem and willing to help around the home? Do you dream of the day when your teenager will willingly offer to help with weekend chores? Start now, your child may be a toddler today but the rules and expectations you set now will build a foundation for years to come.

One of the easiest ways to motivate children and build self-esteem is to allow your child to help with daily jobs around the house. Encouraging children to help around the home should be easy, children are generally eager helpers, the key is to keep encouragement positive, make the task achievable and fun and remember there is no wrong way to do it, just a different way! Turn a blind eye if it's not perfect today, with practice it will be -eventually.

Clearly define the time of day your child's job is to be completed, use time definitions such as "after school" rather than "at 5pm" Children can't generally clock watch and tend to understand time frames associated with every day activities. Ensure the assigned jobs suit your child's age and ability.

Include your children in the decision making around which household jobs are to be done and when, encourage children to make a checklist, which can be checked off so that they can see their achievement, as their jobs are completed. If you must give a reward, make it a smile, pat on the back or visible enjoyment, avoid bribes such as lollies or money, these may give you a quick response today but that's not likely to be long lasting.

Avoid gender assignment, encourage your boys to complete housework chores and as cute as it may be when they decide to wear an apron, don't laugh! Encourage your girls to push the lawnmower.



This last point is very important and for many parents will be hard to resist, DO NOT redo a job that your child has just completed, this is damaging to a child's ego and will demotivate children.

Here's a few simple jobs even very young children can help with and maybe even give you a little break and with patience could eventually be the prelude to your child's career.

Straighten up a bed every morning.
Pack their own clothing into drawers.
Feed the family pet.
Set the table before dinner.
Water pot plants.

It can be tempting to say "its faster to do myself" or "its not done the way I like". If you can take a few extra moments to show a child how to do a job and encourage them along the way, eventually your time will be repaid and who knows you could enjoy the process. Have a great weekend.

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