Comments on: How not to talk to your kids

By: Seth

Seth — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:53:45 +0000

Jason, where are you

By: Aubrey Packham

Aubrey Packham — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:34:09 +0000

Very interesting article. I am now catching myself saying the wrong types of praise when I talk to Collin. It’s tough to praise the effort instead of saying, “you’re smart.” But it really makes sense.

By: drusef

drusef — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 23:08:29 +0000

great article. really made me think about how to deal with the kids… and i’m sure I was in the category of those who might have not done things I knew I wouldn’t be good at because I thought I was ‘smart’ (which i am, obviously)…

By: Seth

Seth — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:05:36 +0000

Great article. It really seemed to hit home with me. Collin is very competetive. Wants to win everything and be the best at everything. So, his self-esteem and effort is often affected by his perception of those around him. If he thinks someone else is better at something, he sort of gives up. He’s now reading really well, and I find myself always telling him, “You’re a really good reader, probably one of the best in your class. You’re smart.”

I guess that may be the wrong thing to say.

I like the parts about the self-esteem movement in our country, especially in our schools. The “don’t let a kid think they are not doing well” attitude. It is getting old.

Quote: “Baumeister has come to believe the continued appeal of self-esteem is largely tied to parents’ pride in their children’s achievements: It’s so strong that “when they praise their kids, it’s not that far from praising themselves.”

This is probably very true.

Thanks for posting this article. 2 eprops for you Jason. You are really smart.