Developing Self-Esteem

Learning Disabilities Articles for Help with Kids by Susan Kramer

Contents

1. What Is Dysgraphia?
2. Dyslexia Information and Help
3. Oppositional Defiant Disorder - Symptoms
4. Oppositional Defiant Disorder - Explained
5. Oppositional Defiant Disorder - Managing Anger
6. What Is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder - CDD?
7. Hyperlexia Information
8. Asperger's Disorder Information
9. TSC and Learning Disabilities
10. Living Harmoniously with Learning Disabilities
11. Cooperation and Learning Disabilities
12. Overcoming Stress
13. Dividing Time Between Your Kids
14. Helping Kids with Challenges Make Friends
15. Learning Difficulties or Disabilities?
16. Making Transitions and Learning Disabilities
17. Helping Kids Find New Solutions
18. Back to School Dress When Challenged
19. Showing Courage and Learning Disabilities
20. Teach Kids to Stay Close to Home
21. Feeling Fear and Learning Disabilities
22. Kids Learn Trustworthiness
23. Multitasking Ideas

24. Laziness or Learning Disabilities?
25. Helping Kids Reach Their Goals
26. Family Roundtable Discussions with Kids
27. Materialism Issues
28. Illness or Accident Leading to a Challenge
29. Vocational or Academics for Challenged Teens?
30. Expectations and Relating
31. Nurturing Kids of All Abilities
32. Our Roles in the Eyes of Society
33. Developing Self-Esteem
34. Changing Goals and Learning Disabilities
35. Shopping Trips Can Be Educational
36. Achievement with Learning Disabilities
37. Resolving Conflicts and Learning Disabilities
38. Teaching Kids Order and Organization
39. Family Life with Learning Disabilities
40. Backyard Motor Skills Games
41. Truancy and Learning Disabilities
42. Kids Learn About Playing Fairly
43. Looking for Equitable Resolves
44. Aerobic Activities for Stress Relief in School
45. Acceptance, Abundance and Learning Disabilities
46. Kids Learn About Sharing

33. Developing Self-Esteem

Our mind and body are an interlocking unit each affecting the other. Portraying, claiming, or regaining self-esteem is our primary task in the world. It is our job to help our children with learning disabilities reach their highest level of self-esteem.

It is not just a catchy phrase in our current society. It is self-esteem that opens our inner doorways that we may walk out into public life, and even just face ourselves in the mirror, viewing ourselves as worthy and complete people, able to look ourselves in the eye, able to look others in the eye, too.

The doorway that shuts us off from marching forth in our radiant wholeness opens at first slowly and then completely as we develop our inner qualities. Because it is really in the reflection of our inner self that we are happiest and best shine forth in the world.

Steps in developing self-esteem:

1. spending regular time in quiet reflection;
2. reflecting honestly on the day's events;
3. formulating a plan to upgrade any weaknesses we are carrying;
4. picking an esoteric quality to imbue such as charity, kindness, caring;
5. being serviceful instead of acting needy: a needy person thinks happiness comes from what they get, while a person with self-esteem has found that happiness is enjoyed in the very acts of giving;
6. taking the best care of our body possible: clean diet, stretches and aerobic exercises;
7. taking heart in the reality that self-esteem is gained or regained slowly; step by step each day, and can be felt moment to moment when giving our unconditional love.

Allowing our inner self that we are
That we know is our best
To shine forth each day
Through our positive attitudes, thoughts and actions
Being our best
Shining forth as our best in the world
That our children may, by our example
Shine beautifully, too.

Article by Susan Kramer

Resources for parents, teachers and homeschooling families: