Self-body image is defined as the perception of self by an individual; One may think oneself as stupid, ugly, useless and incompetent. On the other hand one may perceive oneself as a person who can face the difficulties and has a good confidence in himself. The former perception about oneself is called negative self-image and later as positive self-image. What type of self-image you have is primarily determined and fixed during your childhood years. The way you are brought up has a lot of impact on the development of self-image.

In order to grow up as a successful person, a child needs to develop positive self-image. Money cannot buy self-image for them and simply providing love does not necessarily help them develop good self-image. Something more needs to be done in this regard.

An article published in the recent issue of Redbook, cautions the parents whose children think themselves incapable, ugly or stupid such parents need to examine their own behavior rather than that of their children.

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer summarizes the few major mistakes parents make that predispose their child to develop negative self-image.

 *Avoid telling children either that they are bad or that they are good. Children should not be given the message that they are bad people when it is their behavior a parent is criticizing.

*Don’t use unkind pet names for children, such as Shorty, Klutz or Chubby. They reinforce a child’s obvious flaws.

*Treat children as individuals. Continually comparing a child with others deprives her of the feeling she is unique.

*Give children responsibility or you will send the message that they cannot do things correctly and shouldn’t try.

*Allow children to speak for themselves, instead of speaking for them.

*Don’t talk in front of children as if they weren’t there. This teaches kids to regard themselves as unimportant.

*Touch, kiss, hold, wrestle and play with your children and tell them, “I love you.”

You are responsible for shaping, up the personality of your children. Please give a serious thought to it.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 20, 1985