Why Building Self-Esteem Is Critical to Great Parenting

Please enjoy this complimentary copy of my presentation slides from the 40th Children's Network Conference (2026) in San Bernardino, California. To learn more about AP Academy products and services, please use the contact information on the last slide to reach out to me.
Bill Shackelford.

Transcript

1. Adulting and Parenting (AP) Academy Presentation By: Bill Shackelford & Lorna Todd Why Building Self-Esteem Is Critical to Great Parenting
2. Welcome “Self-Esteem is the foundation on which you build your interactions with the world” Raising Kids / Growing Parents Podcast “Key Role Self-Esteem Plays in Parenting”
3. Definition “Self-Esteem includes the feelings and thoughts we have about our: • competencies and worth; • abilities to make a positive difference; • level of optimism; • willingness to control rather than retreat from realistic challenges; • capacity to learn from both our successes and failures; and • ability to treat ourselves as well as others with respect.” GreatSchools.org
4. Gift From My Father William Walker
5. Agenda What do you want to take away from this presentation?
10. 7 Keys to Building and Maintaining Self-Esteem 1. Self-Awareness and Reflection 2. Positive Self-Affirmation 3. Goal Achievement 4. Cognitive Restructuring 5. Healthy Relationships 6. Self Compassion and Forgiveness 7. Service and Contribution True self-esteem balances confidence with humility and awareness of growth areas.
11. 7 Keys to Building and Maintaining Self-Esteem 1. Self-Awareness and Reflection. Regularly examining beliefs, values and self-talk help identify distortions. 2. Positive Self-Affirmation. Practicing reality-based affirmations reinforces selfworth 3. Goal Achievement. Setting and achieving goals build confidence through tangible success. 4. Cognitive Restructuring. Replacing irrational beliefs with balanced, evidencebased thoughts improves mood and selfregard. Self-esteem is not static; it fluctuates in response to life experiences, social interactions, and personal reflections.
12. 7 Keys to Building and Maintaining Self-Esteem 5. Healthy Relationships. Surrounding oneself with supportive, respectful individuals reinforces positive selfperception. 6. Self-Compassion and Forgiveness. Embracing imperfections reduces self-criticism and fosters resilience. 7. Service and Contribution. Helping others provides purpose and reminds individuals of their value and their blessings. Living in alignment with one’s values strengthens selfesteem, creates inner harmony, and builds self-respect.
13. Self-Esteem Building Activities For Young Adults
14. Self-Esteem Building Activities For Young Adults
15. Summary 1. Self-esteem is a foundation issue for adulting and parenting. 2. Self-esteem is not static. It is shaped by the past, the present, and the future. 3. Building and maintaining self-esteem is a life-long task. 4. The best way to build self-esteem is to first assess where the gaps are. 5. The best time to start working on self-esteem is now.
16. Copy of Slides? Bill Shackelford / Lorna Todd Please complete the session evaluation before leaving Phone Web Thank you for adding usEmail to your conference schedule 404-925-5440 bill.apacademy@gmail.com www.apacademystore.com