| "Confidence!? | | | | I don't want to! |
| This is an interview about child abuse, child safety | | | | Leave me alone! |
| and protecting children. | | | | How to empower your child depends on their age. |
| What on earth does self confidence and a solid self | | | | For children ages 4 to 7, give them alternatives to |
| image have to do with CHILD SAFETY?!" | | | | situations in their lives, let them make some of their |
| That was the start of last night's radio interview we | | | | own choices. For example, instead of serving them |
| did. This little note isn't about how popular we are. | | | | broccoli, ask them to choose between carrots, peas |
| We're sharing this with you to make a point: | | | | or broccoli or another vegetable as you prepare it. |
| confidence has everything to do with child safety | | | | Let them choose the socks they want to wear. |
| and keeping kids safe. | | | | Letting them pick a favorite t-shirt can bolster their |
| So, we shocked the "Shock Jock." | | | | self-image. Give in to their cries of, "I can do it! I |
| Confidence is the Number One safety technique we | | | | want to do it!" |
| teach. Confidence building is the Number One | | | | Kids around 8 to 13 years old crave parental trust. |
| parenting skill we emphasize. | | | | Knowing Mom or Dad trusts them is a powerful |
| No matter what the age of your child. | | | | confidence booster for kids this age. Empowering |
| No matter who you are. | | | | your elementary age child means when they do |
| No matter where you live. | | | | something, you "let go" and trust them to do it. At |
| No matter what your circumstances are. | | | | this age confidence building centers primarily around |
| Helice Bridges of Difference Makers International | | | | the issue of trust and you as a parent have to lead |
| discovered this years ago. She built an entire world | | | | the way by example. |
| wide organization based on boosting self confidence | | | | When your child reaches high school age, most of |
| in individuals. There's now special Blue Ribbon awards | | | | your parental work is in place or done. It is simply a |
| for all ages, people, professions and countries. | | | | time to "guide" your child and confidence boosting |
| Confidence is the foundation for everything in child | | | | comes in the form of respect. Most teenagers need |
| safety. Confidence building is a very powerful | | | | to know their parents respect them. With kids at this |
| teaching tool, as well. As a parent you also have the | | | | age it is very challenging for any parent but |
| very same powerful tool at your disposal. And a | | | | demonstrating respect for your child's choices for |
| great way to apply this parenting tool is with | | | | themselves, even if you don't always agree with |
| EMPOWERMENT. | | | | them, is critical for their self image. |
| When you empower your child, you will truly teach | | | | These are pretty simple examples, but this is about |
| them to make choices for themselves. When they | | | | as easy as it gets in empowering your child. Giving |
| can make good choices for themselves they will be | | | | your child choices, trust and respect is crucial in their |
| able to assess situations around them and respond in | | | | development. It is crucial in their ability to keep |
| an appropriate manner. | | | | themselves safe against all kinds of dangers. |
| They will be able to make THE RIGHT choice when | | | | For parents who feel like they need to learn more |
| faced with a dangerous situation, when approached | | | | about confidence building in kids there's a great |
| by a bully or inappropriate adult or when grabbed or | | | | resource in India Parenting's Child Confidence Boosting |
| surprised by an extreme predator. Very simply, it is | | | | page. It's packed with great links and information. |
| all about teaching your child to make good choices, | | | | All this being said, will your child always make good |
| the best choices, for themselves. Yes, they will truly | | | | choices for themselves? |
| be able to keep themselves safe for a lifetime. | | | | No! |
| In its simplest form, empowerment means your child | | | | That is where you, Mom and Dad, come into the |
| feels like they have a measure of control over their | | | | picture. You, as a mentor to your child, can guide |
| life. They feel they can make their own decisions, | | | | them through the array of choices they will face. You |
| good decisions. Most kids don't feel this ability. | | | | can guide them and teach them about learning to |
| Because they feel powerless, kids will engage in a | | | | make good choices and their benefits. |
| struggle with their parents to get some control of | | | | And safety? Well, confident kids are not messed |
| their lives. In doing so it usually comes across as | | | | with by bullies at school. Confident kids know when |
| conflict: | | | | that when confronted by an inappropriate request |
| No! I don't want to go! | | | | they can to say "NO!" Confident teenagers don't |
| I don't like that! | | | | always bow to peer pressure. Confident adults do |
| I'm not eating that! | | | | not intimidated by the nasty co-worker in the office. |
| Stop it! | | | | It's called "safety for a lifetime. |