Q&A: Self-Esteem

Q&A: Self-Esteem

Does your child come home from school feeling downtrodden? Does she give up easily? Sometimes, kids beat themselves up emotionally. Add LD or ADHD to the mix and the issue becomes even more complicated. Our experts answer parents' questions about self-esteem, confidence, and resilience.

Q&A by Carleton Kendrick, family therapist

Q: How can I help my son with his self-esteem?
A: Your son needs his parents to be his champion in all he does.
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Q: My five-year-old is hard on herself and I worry about her low-self esteem.
A: Often when kids begin kindergarten, it's not unusual to see their sense of self-worth and self-image threatened.
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Q: How do I discipline my child without hurting his self-esteem?
A: How you build your child's self-esteem on a regular basis gives you the foundation and the tools to discipline your child while still encouraging his self-worth.
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Q&A by Jerome Schultz, neuropsychologist

Q: My seventh-grade son has such low self-esteem that if something isn't easy he gives up.
A: This is a real challenge faced by many parents. Here's what to do.
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Q: How do I encourage my four-year-old with her schoolwork without completely destroying the self-esteem of my eight-year-old, who is in special education?
A: It's really hard for kids with learning disabilities when a younger brother or sister starts to pass them by.
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Q: Our daughter is on an IEP for learning disabilities. She's frustrated with the extra load of work, and the teacher is making her feel worse. Do we switch her to another teacher or keep putting her in this class that is tearing her up inside?
A: Even if the teacher is as sweet as an angel, it's your daughter's perception that counts. Here's what you should do.
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