Last year I decided I needed to be more active in helping her reach her goal. I signed us up for a Writing for Children class at the community college. She would only attend if she did not have to read her writing aloud. The teacher was so gracious and she said that she could read when she was ready.

Isabella was 14. I told her that a bunch of old people would not laugh at her when she shared besides if she wants to be an author at some point people would have to read her writing. After a couple of months, she did read her writing. I was blown away, she was good.

 Our class turned into a support group. In June, we had a writing assignment to take three objects and write anything that came to mind. Twenty minutes later Isabella had the story Finger like Branches. It has taken almost three months before she allowed others to read her writing. Now I am asking for feedback from everyone I know and do not know. I am on a mission to change the picture she has of herself.

Over the last year, I have been building her self-esteem by

• Taking her to writing class
• Encouraging her every week or two about how great she writes
• Now asking others for input because she thinks I have to say she is great because I am her mother.

The last year has been so rewarding. I was blessed to spend time with her every week. I was able to talk to her and encourage her. I did something she wanted to do and I have seen tremendous growth in her life. I would not trade it for a million dollars.

•  Is there a class you can take with your child?
• What words of encouragement can you share with your child?
• Can you enlist the help of others to share their image of your child with them so they can see themselves as they truly are?

What is the one action step you are going to make today? Leave me a note telling me what it is. It will make you more accountable because you will feel like you have to do it.

If you were to search for a precious gem, where would you look? You might find some on the surface but if you want to find a large amount, you have to dig. Just like precious stones, some of your children’s gifts and talents will be seen on the surface but there will be large pockets of these gems in the earth. We have to study the landscape, assess were to dig, dig, make adjustments and re-dig.

Study the landscape. Study your child. What do they like to do when they are by themselves? Do they like to draw, play sports, read, etc. Do they like to be by themselves or in a group? What makes their eyes light up?

Assess where to dig. You have found what they like to do now is opportunity to figure out how to develop that talent. Is there a book you can buy and read with them? Is there a class they can take or you can take together? Do you know someone they can talk to or who will mentor them in that talent?

Dig. Once you have come up with a plan, it is time to put it into action.

Make adjustments. Was the class enjoyable? If not was it because of the teacher or the material? Would a different class or teacher have the same results? Did you dig in the wrong place? Would your child like to do something different? It is good to have a couple of people get together and brainstorm with you and the child if possible to get a different perspective.

Re-dig. It is ok to start over again. We have to be someone special to get it right the first time. For most people we will have to restart several times.