Table of Contents
Foreword vii
Part 1 Introduction
1 Why Telling Our Kids They're Wonderful Doesn't Build Real Self-Esteem… and What Does 2
2 How Children's Self-Esteem Changes with Age 12
Part 2 Connection
3 "Why Are You Always Yelling at Me?": When Your Child Reacts Intensely to Parental Correction 26
4 "You Love Her More!": When Your Child Struggles with Sibling Jealousy or Conflict 50
5 "Nobody Likes Me!": When Your Child Feels Friendless 73
Part 3 Competence
6 "I Can't Do It! I Quit!": When Your Child Gives Up Easily 94
7 "It's Not Good Enough!": When Your Child Suffers with Harsh Self-Criticism and Perfectionism 114
Part 4 Choice
8 "I Can't Decide!": When Your Child Feels Trapped by Indecision and Helplessness 136
9 "I Don't Fit In!": When Your Child Struggles with Feeling Different 154
Part 5 The Bigger Picture
10 Coping with Bullying, Teasing, and Other Meanness 178
11 Real Self-Esteem and the joys of a Quiet Ego 193
Works Cited and Consulted 202