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Why Does My Child Need a Healthy Self-Esteem?

By Denise Witmer, About.com

Children need to feel capable before they can be capable. A child with a healthy self-esteem can:

  • Act on their own and show independence
  • Assume responsibility for their actions
  • Take pride in accomplishments
  • Take responsibility for mistakes
  • Tolerate frustration and stress
  • Handle positive and negative emotions
  • Attempt to do new things and will try again and again

While a child with an unhealthy self-esteem will:

  • Be very dependant, almost clingy
  • Blame others for mistakes or problems
  • Be incapable of tolerating change or normal frustration
  • Not be able to try new things
  • Sometimes shut down and appear lazy
  • Be easily influenced by peers and negative behaviors
  • Not be able to take a compliment and will consistently put himself down

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