In today’s digital age, social media plays a pivotal role in shaping our interactions and perceptions. This influence extends to parenting, where the decision to share children’s achievements online stirs mixed feelings. Balancing the joy of celebrating milestones with concerns about self-esteem impacts is a common challenge for parents. Join Patricia Wu, Jessica Reyes, and guest Deanne Shulz as they delves into the nuances of self-esteem, exploring its internal and external dimensions, and offering insights into navigating this complex aspect of modern parenting.
The Essence of Self-Esteem
Self-esteem has two primary components – internal and external. Internal self-esteem is about how we feel about ourselves, while external self-esteem depends on recognition from others. Our dialogue highlights the importance of nurturing a child’s internal self-esteem, fostering a sense of self-worth that doesn’t rely on external validation.
The Pitfalls of Performance-Based Self-Esteem
We explore how self-esteem tied to performance, such as grades or sports achievements, can be fleeting. It suggests that our value fluctuates based on our latest success or failure, which is not a stable foundation for self-esteem.
Navigating External Validation
Our conversation touches on “other-based” self-esteem, where an individual’s sense of value is heavily influenced by others’ opinions. This aspect is crucial in understanding how social media posts about achievements can impact a child’s self-view, emphasizing the need for balance and encouraging self-validation.
As we navigate the complexities of raising children in a digital age, understanding self-esteem becomes paramount. For a deeper dive into this important topic, be sure to watch the full video.
