I'm what you would call a "celebration mom".  I LOVE to celebrate everything!!  In addition to regular holidays and birthdays, I love to make my own traditions with my kids and celebrate the everyday things with them.  We celebrate things like Brothers Day (made up by my oldest a few years back), violin recitals, piano recitals, sports & games, cub scout achievements, report cards, nice notes sent home from their teachers, vacations, losing teeth, dentist appointments, and probably at least half a dozen other things.

And, when we celebrate sports and other extracurricular activities, I try to make it more about the experience and the effort rather than the outcome.  In praising their efforts and perserverance, I get great satisfaction and they receive a boost in their self-esteem.

William receives his award from his basketball coach for the season.

Nathan receives his Light of Christ award in Scouting in February.

Celebrating kids and their efforts in achievement – not just the achievement itself – is vital in raising a confident and self-assured child.  I find that when I praise their efforts rather than simply their outcome, they feel proud and take ownership of their achievements even more!  They are also more apt to challenges in the future, knowing that giving it their best is what's MOST important!

How do you celebrate your child's achievements?

{Disclosure:  I was compensated by Electrolux for sharing my own thoughts and opinions on celebrating childhood achievements.  This opportunity is offered by the Electrolux Perfect Steam™ washer. It gets your clothes cleaner than any other washer, keeping kids looking their best – so parents can focus on the moments that count. From now until June 26th,  visit www.facebook.com/Electrolux to share your BEST moments and enter for a chance to win a new laundry pair.}