Feeling green

What do green fingernails, green frogs and green marbles have to do with raising girls? Ask JoAnn Deak, the renowned speaker and educator who made a repeat visit last night to Kassie's school, Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's (ECS). Deak used stories (personal parables) to help drill into us the three important ingredients necessary to build and boost our daughters' self-esteem, each of which is required in equal quantities: confidence, competence and connectedness. She emphasized that physical achievements carry more weight than the cerebral or operating within one's safe zone. Climbing a rock-wall, for instance, is more likely to induce a galvanizing rush of endorphins than winning a chess match, particularly for a non-athletic girl. She also stressed that effusive, and therefore meaningless, praise can be detrimental to self-esteem. So save your praise for the moments that really count, Moms and Dads!

For my post on Dr. JoAnn Deak's first visit to ECS, click here.