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Positive attitude and showing pride in a child does make a difference in how that child perceives themselves as they are younger and even as they are older.If they are given negative feedback then they start thinking that way and it effects how they think about themselves and how they think others see them as well.I know as a child I was very shy and I thought that I was not as smart as my brother or sister was.I felt
like I was the different one . It took me longer to learn and do all my homework than
it took my brother or sister.My mother was the one that was always supportive and en-
couraging to me.My father was verbally abusive to all of us and it had a lasting
affect on me as well as my family.My mother always told me that I could do anything that I wanted to do that it would just take me longer to achieve it.She never said no
without an explanation why not first.When we did special projects in school I am sure like many of you other parents would put them up on the refrigerator to display
them and say how much she really liked them.She always knew the right thing to say to
us and it made us feel proud.Our rewards came in the way of being able to watch a
special show on t.v. on the weekends, going out to visit friends,Having a special meal
cooked.Dinner time was a special time in our house. That was the time we could talk about our day.And be proud of what we have done.I remember that I always had trouble
with especially math and my father was not a very patient person at all. When I would make a mistake he would start to yell at me and say,Can't you get anything right?You are so stupid.I would yell back at him with tears in my eyes and say angrily,I am not
stupid!Then I would scribble all over my paper and then tear it up.I then would go to my mother and she would end up helping me.Patience and warmth does make all the difference.

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