as capable human beings comes from accomplishing difficult things, not
having those things done for them or being repeatedly told they are great
kids.
Beyond our encouraging words, the pattern for building self-esteem
and self-confidence looks something like this in almost every case:
- Kids take a risk and try to do something they think they can’t.
- They struggle in the process of trying to do it.
- After a time, they accomplish what they first set out to do.
- They get the opportunity to reflect back on their accomplishment
and can say, “Look at what I did!”