Family Counseling – Life Skills Unlimited

Self-esteem is a person’s subjective evaluation of their own worth. This includes beliefs about their abilities and their deserving of respect and happiness. It’s a general sense of personal value that is influenced by one’s view of self and accomplishments, values, appearance, and feedback from others.

Self-esteem is your opinion about yourself at any point in time. It tends to change some with what you consider successes and failures. Self-esteem is a person’s overall sense of self-worth.

Sometimes we allow ourselves to believe other people’s comments. Remember: “Small-minded people blame others. Average people blame themselves. The wise see all blame as foolishness.” “If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation.” Epictetus.

When we are young, we learn/believe our value based on our parents and other people that are significant in our lives. As we grow older and have more experiences, we begin to question their view of us. It is helpful to remember that those people based their value on what others have told them.

Teaching your children skills in how to differentiate self from others and how they are valuable is important in helping them form a life of self-acceptance. When your children are upset/defiant it is important to remember that you are an adult. So, stop – breathe deep and problem solve. Focus on the solution, not the problem. You are teaching your children to be accountable for their actions. You are letting them know they are significant, and their views are important; however, there are certain guidelines that we all must follow.

As we are helping our children form their “self-view” it is important to remember: “Don’t force your children into your ways, for they were created for a time different from your own.” Plato. You might ask yourself: What are my unhealthy habitual behaviors today that are a reflection of my childhood.
Remember: Stop – Think Clearly – Problem Solve.

Learn Cognitive Behavioral Skills to:
Communicate Effectively
Problem Solve
Team Play/Work