5 Self-Esteem Questions for Better Parenting
by Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean"

Let's face it. Raising kids' self-esteem isn't easy. Each of us has reacted like the mother in the following story. If it sounds like you, don't worry. We understand.

A Mother's Frustration:

My spine stiffened. My shoulders tightened, and my ears felt as though they had been stabbed with a knife. The sound was a cross between fingernails on a blackboard and a first aid siren. And it was two feet from me.

“Catherine!� I screamed, twirling around from the sink where I was washing dishes.

“Mom, I have to practice my flute.�

“Don't do it near me. I can't take it.!� – Grace Witwer Housholder

click here to continue reading...

Top News Headlines from CNN Quake toll nears 12,000; disaster teams arrive The death toll in the massive earthquake that rocked central China is at nearly 12,000, officials say. It comes as teams of rescuers battling through rock and mudslides Tuesday arrived at the epicenter of the earthquake. Tuesday May 13th, 1:32 AM Clinton looks to West Virginia; Obama, to future The outcome of West Virginia's primary Tuesday may best be foretold by where Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama plan to spend the day. Tuesday May 13th, 1:44 AM Superdelegates boost Obama before likely loss Sen. Barack Obama today took the lead in the race for superdelegates on the eve of a contest that's expected to fall easily into Sen. Hillary Clinton's column. Obama and Clinton face off Tuesday in West Virginia, where polls show Clinton ahead by more than a 40-point margin. Monday May 12th, 4:43 PM Fires shut part of I-95; schools evacuated Wildfires scorched two counties in central Florida on Sunday, closing a major interstate and forcing the evacuation of some coastal residents. Monday May 12th, 7:03 PM Q&A: 'Star is a great talent,' Walters says Barbara Walters joined "Larry King Live" on Monday night, where she talked about her climb to the top of TV and her opinion of former "View" co-stars Star Jones and Rosie O'Donnell. Monday May 12th, 9:12 PM Food from NPR Saving Endangered Species One Mouthful at a Time Conservation scientist Gary Nabhan says the best way to recover some of America's at-risk species is to eat them. He documents lost and threatened foods in his new book, Renewing America's Food Traditions. Sunday May 11th, 1:45 PM Zingerman's: Not Your Grandfather's Deli In 1982, Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig opened Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, Mich. After 26 years, they have built an empire called Zingerman's Community of Businesses that Inc. magazine called "The Coolest Small Company in America." On Friday, Oprah Winfrey rated a sandwich from Zingerman's an amazing 11 out of 5. Sunday May 11th, 8:32 AM Is It Better to Eat Locally or Eat Differently? When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, what you eat may be more important than where your food comes from. A new study finds that replacing red meat and dairy products with chicken, fish or vegetables could have the same impact as shifting to an entirely locally-grown diet. Friday May 9th, 6:00 AM France Plans Lucrative Champagne Expansion A century-old law restricted champagne production to 370 villages in northeastern France, but with demand now outstripping supply, the official body that determines wine laws is admitting 40 more communities — a lucrative move for those joining the exclusive club of champagne producers. Friday May 9th, 3:43 AM So a 'Times' Critic Walks into a T.G.I. Friday's ... The New York Times sent critics to review chain restaurants this week. David Corcoran reveals what they found, while blogger Ezra Klein describes the conceit as an exercise in contempt for middle America. Thursday May 8th, 5:29 AM

Today's Latest from Entertainment Weekly 'Idol' Power List: The top 3 See how Michael Slezak ranks the singers heading into ''hometown visits'' week, then vote for your favorite Cannes '08: 15 buzz movies Indy 4, Angelina Jolie in ''The Changeling,'' and other debuts in France we wish we could see NOW 'Survivor' finale: What got cut Parvati on finding the idol (and leaving it) on Exile Island. Plus: Amanda, Cirie, and Natalie's regrets 'DWTS': Season 6 fashion flubs See 13 lowlights from the series' sartorial cesspool of sequins, fringe, and crushed dreams 21 gratuitous TV moments PopWatchers call out shows for their blatant attempts to titillate, from ''Grey's'' to ''Lost'' to ''The X-Files'' Most Popular Headlines from BusinessWeek HP and EDS Consider a Tieup Reports that Hewlett-Packard wants to acquire the tech-services outfit sent EDS shares up 28%. Should IBM be worried?. Tuesday May 13th, 1:05 AM Closing the Door to Microsoft Vista A number of companies are opting not to embrace Redmond's latest operating system and, like GM, are waiting for Windows 7 instead. Tuesday May 13th, 1:05 AM Microsoft's Telescope for Everyone The WorldWide Telescope lets amateur astronomers explore the cosmos through a computer, which provides a photo map of the heavens. Tuesday May 13th, 2:05 AM Blogging a Quake, Live from Chengdu Bloggers unite amid catastrophe in China's Sichuan province, raising questions about whether the death toll could have been lower. Tuesday May 13th, 2:05 AM Circuit City Gives Up the Fight The electronics chain puts out the "For Sale" sign, hiring Goldman Sachs to assist on a deal, most likely with Blockbuster. Saturday May 10th, 6:05 AM