Help for the Family/Parenting - Teaching Children Humility

THE CHALLENGE 

* Your son is behaving arrogantly-and he is only ten! 

* Ge expects everyone to treat him as special.

'What has gotten into him?'  you wonder.  'I want him to feel good about himself-but not to think that he is better than everyone else!'

Is it possible to teach a child humility without damaging his or her self-worth?

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW 

In recent decades, parents have been encouraged to yield to their children's desires; to praise them generously, even if they did nothing praiseworthy; to withhold correction and discipline.  It was thought that if children were made to feel special, they would grow up with healthy esteem.  But what have the results shown?  The book Generation Me states:  "Instead of creating well-adjusted happy children, the self-esteem movement has created an army of little narcissists."

Many children raised with unconditional praise have grown up unprepared for disappointments, criticism, and occasional failure.  Because of being taught to focus on their own desires, they find hard as adults to form lasting relationships.  As a result, many of them suffer from anxiety and depression.

Children develop real self-worth, not by being constantly told that they are special, but through genuine accomplishments.  That requires more than just believing in themselves. They need to learn, practice, and refine chosen skills carefully.  (Proverbs 22:29) They also need to care about other people's needs.  (1 Corinthians 10:24) All of this requires humility.

Next time: Help for the Family/Parenting -Conclusion of WHAT YOU CAN DO

From the jw.org publications