How to Raise a Winner

The world loves a winner. Whether it is in sports, arts or political arena, a winner is not only applauded, but also given accolades, exulted and made to feel great. Why? Because it takes a lot of effort, self discipline and strength of character to beat the odds and emerge victorious.

Winners in life are not born but breed. Homes, schools and communities all play vital role in raising winners. While it is the collective efforts of the afore cited trio which is needed to raise winners, it is the influence of the home which is strongest. The home is where a solid sense of self esteem is developed - a true mark of winners.

Here's how parents can raise a "homegrown" winner, not only in sports, arts or politics, but more importantly, in life:

1. Make your child feel important early on;
A child is never too young to be given importance. When your toddler, for instance, try to tell you something in his own baby way, take the time to get on your hands and knees- where you will be eye level with each other- and listen.
2. Show appreciation for your child's efforts:
When shown a drawing of a purple bird or a green cow or stick-like figures by your child, show appreciation by giving it a place of honor on your refrigerator door, or wherever other members of the family can view it.
3.Instill courage;
Never ridicule your child's fears but ,instead, explain why he/she shoud not gave in to fear. Encourage your child how to face what he/she is afraid of. Be it a spider or a school bully.
4. Teach your child how to be confident;
Confidence in self is a badge of champion. One can never try anything without that all important factor. So teach your child to be confident of his ability to, at the very least, try. Let your child know that, win or lose, you will always be on his/her side. Such an assurance is a real confidence booster.
5. Recognize talent or the lack of it in your child;
Your child is not the extension of you and your spouse. So, the fact that your husband is a former boxing champion will not make your son one, if he is more incline to designing dresses. In the same manner, your being former Little Miss Whatever will not make your painfully shy six year old daughter one, if her forte is jotting her thoughts on paper.
6.Help your child overcome obstacles;
Overcoming obstacles is a feat in itself. Say for instance,if what kept your daughter from being included in the Honors' List is her grade in Math and you know she can make it, if only she will watch less tv and study more in Math, so, you should persuade her gently to do just that. If after doing that she is still not included in the Honors' List, but her Math grade improve considerably, then, she still merit to be praised and encourage some more.
7. Give your child unconditional love;
Let your child know, in no uncertain terms, that you will still love him/her come hell or high waters, no matter what.
8. Show concerns on things which concerns your child;
If your child is worried about her pimples, don't dismiss it with comment such as: "you will outgrow it." Instead recommend a remedy to help ease her mind.
9. Know your child's friends;
Friends are influencial people in your child's life. They can exert peer pressure for good or bad, depending on their kind, as influenced by their own homes. Do open your home to your child's friends and try to get to know them.
10.Make prayer a part of your childs growing years;
Always remember that the one thing "winners" always got which the losers haven't got is: a prayer.