The connection between parent and child forms the basis for future relationships. The foundations of self-esteem are laid early in life when infants develop attachments with the adults who are responsible for them. When adults readily respond to their cries and smiles, babies learn to feel loved and valued.
Many parents make their children feel loved but fall short of allowing children to feel capable.
When parents do too much for their children, they are giving the message to the child that they feel that the child can t do things for themselves. Mom has taken away an opportunity for Mary to learn to clean her room and has given Mary the impression that Mom can clean better than she can. The result is that Mom is making Mary feel incapable and therefore hurting her sense of self-esteem. Other ways that parents do too much for their children are when they solve their problems, pamper them, make decisions for them and talk for them. One of the best ways that parents can build their children s self-esteem is to give them chores.