O.S.C.A.R.

O.S.C.A.R. Your favorite movie star just won the Oscar for "Best Actor", considered the crowning achievement for film actors. He stands before his peers, the gold statuette in hand, all lights and all eyes on him. The crowd quiets as he begins his speech. "I'd like to thank my parents for teaching me to believe in myself. Thank you, Mom and Dad." Belief in self. What does that mean... exactly? Clear-cut evidence shows that parents who communicate the belief, "I know you can," produce children with an "I can do it!" attitude. How do parents raise children who believe in themselves? O: Opportunities to try something new helps children experience success with new challenges. S: Steer clear of negative labels that diminish self-esteem. C: Confident children learn from both successes and failures. Encourage children to work past difficult times through supportive listening and problem-solving. A: Allow children to make some choices and decisions that are appropriate for their age and abilities. This helps develop responsibility as well as confidence. R: Respond to your child's interests and efforts with appreciation rather than just praise. Applaud the steps along the way to the goal. The O.S.C.A.R. for "Best Direction of a Child's Life" is hereby awarded to all parents who enrich their child's life to help them become the best they can be!