How to Build Pride in Your Child

Proud children are likely to be more successful.

Building pride in your child is something every parent aspires to do. You want your child to feel good about himself without bragging or becoming too big for his britches. Cultivating a healthy sense of pride in your child starts at home, and there are several things you can do to help your child develop a healthy sense of self.

Instructions

1. Provide your child with unconditional love. Let him know that no matter what, you will always be there for him and love him. Demonstrating love for your child, regardless of his abilities, will help your child develop a sense of self and pride, according to the website BabyCenter.

2. Give your child attention whenever possible. Parents and children today are both busy with work and school activities, but spending time with your child helps her to develop a healthy sense of pride. Let your child show off her art projects or latest gymnastic skills. Children can not develop a sense of pride in themselves if there is no audience to showcase their talents.

3. Praise your child for a job well done and for any positive effort he makes to do well. By praising both the end results and the efforts, your child will begin to realize he can take pride in not just his accomplishments but the steps he took to get there. Tell your child how well he did at a race even if he didn't win or compliment the originality of his science project even if all he gets is an honorable mention.

4. Give your child responsibilities on par for her age to help her accomplish a sense of pride in a job well done. Even a young child can pick up toys or help sort laundry into baskets. Older children can be responsible for keeping their room clean and setting the dinner table. Praise your child for a job well done -- especially if she completes the task without needing to be reminded.

5. Listen when your child needs to talk, provide encouragement when he needs a boost and offer empathy when things don't work out as planned. Children will learn that pride doesn't mean getting what you want when you want it; rather, it means being able to hold your head high in spite of a negative outcome.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid making comparisons between your children or comparing your child to anyone else, advises BabyCenter. Remember your child is an individual who will learn and grow at her own pace.

References

• Baby Center; Ten Ways To Build Your Child's Self-Esteem; Sarah Henry

Resources

• AskDrSears.com: 12 Ways to Help Your Child Build Self-Confidence