In fact, the opposite is true. Children whose parents accept them as they are are more likely to feel secure enough in themselves to take the risks necessary to succeed. Children whose parents pressure them to do well may end up resenting their parents and rebelling against them. Instead of criticizing children when they make mistakes, parents should try to turn these mistakes into learning experiences, and instead of pressuring children to excel, parents should ease up on the pressure and offer praise and encouragement. How parents feel about themselves and the world around them is reflected in their behavior.
Children model their own behavior and attitudes after their parents'.
Parents can't expect their children to develop a healthy attitude about themselves unless they first see this healthy attitude in their parents. If parents don't feel good about themselves, there is no way they will be able to show their children how to feel good about themselves. In their conversations with their children, parents should make sure their children have their complete attention. Parents can do this by setting aside anything they might have been doing, making eye contact, and making physical contact through a pat or a hug. Parents should let their children know that their comments and questions are important by treating them with respect.