When you say to your child, "You're a terrific kid!" or "I love you," that's one way you're helping your child feel good about him or herself. Children need to know they are special in their parents' eyes.

But "You are special" doesn't mean "You are perfect." We all make mistakes, whether we're children or adults. No one is perfect. Of course, it's much easier to learn basic things like that in the context of a warm, loving family. When children know they are loved, they appreciate that they, as well as everyone else, have weaknesses as well as strengths.

And, isn't that the message we want for our children, "You are special...and so is everyone else in the world."

• Spend Some Time in the Day, Listening and Talking With your Child.
  Just being there to listen helps your child feel valuable. Bedtime can be such an important time for that kind of caring conversation.
• Help your Child find "Jobs" to Do Around the House.
  Even small jobs, like setting the table by putting out spoons or napkins or sorting socks in the laundry, can help a child feel important and needed.
• Some Families, Around the Dinner Table, Ask Each One (including the parents), Questions like:
  What was the best thing about your day? What was the worst thing about your day? What did you do to help someone today? What did someone do to help you today?

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