The Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Kids: Build Their Self-Esteem

A recent study showed that the most important thing you can do for your kids is to help them build a strong self-esteem. When kids feel good about themselves, they are more likely to succeed in life. There are many essential strategies for building self-esteem in kids and teens, and it is something that parents should start working on early on. In this blog post, I will discuss some of the most important reasons why self-esteem is so important, and I will provide some tips for raising confident kids!

What Hurts Self Esteem

When it comes to our self-esteem, there are a lot of things that can bring us down. Whether it's negative feedback from others, personal failures or just general life stressors, these things can all take a toll on how we see ourselves. One of the most destructive things to our self-esteem, however, is comparison. Constantly comparing ourselves to others, whether it's in terms of looks, success or anything else, is a recipe for disaster. Not only does it make us feel bad about ourselves, but it also sets us up for an unrealistic standard that we can never hope to attain. This can be a very common occurrence, particularly in children and teens.

Why Is Self Esteem Important

Self-esteem is important because it gives kids the confidence to try new things, face challenges and believe in themselves. Kids with high self-esteem are more likely to take risks, which can lead to great achievements. They are also less likely to give up when things get tough and are more likely to have fulfilling relationships.

The importance of a strong self-esteem becomes even more evident when we look at the statistics of kids who struggle with low self-esteem. Studies have shown that kids with low self-esteem are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse. They are also more likely to get into fights, engage in risky behaviors and drop out of school. As you can see, the stakes are high when it comes to self-esteem.

Tips for Raising Confident Kids

There are many things that parents can do to help their kids build self-esteem. One of the most important things is to provide plenty of opportunities for kids to succeed. This might mean enrolling them in sports, signing them up for music lessons or taking them on fun field trips. It is also important to praise your child when they do something well and to avoid criticizing them too much.

Another important tip is to encourage kids to express their feelings and to listen to them when they do. This will help them feel heard and understood, which are both crucial for a healthy self-esteem. It is also important to teach kids how to handle failure and setbacks. Helping them see that these are normal and inevitable parts of life will help them to bounce back from difficult experiences.

Finally, it is important to lead by example. Kids learn a lot from watching their parents, so it is important to model the behavior that you want to see in your child. If you have a healthy self-esteem, your child is more likely to as well. Building self-esteem in kids is essential for their success in life. By following the tips above, you can help your child develop a strong sense of self-confidence that will serve them well throughout their life.

How Does Self Esteem Help Adulthood

Strengthening self-esteem in childhood is crucial if you want young people to grow into confident adults and self esteem is a really important part of adulthood. It helps us feel good about ourselves and our abilities, and it gives us the confidence to pursue our goals. People with high self esteem are more likely to be successful in their careers and relationships, and they're also more resilient when things don't go their way. It's never too early to start working on self esteem. In fact, the earlier you start, the better off young people will be in adulthood. Here are a few ways to help role model self-esteem and in turn build the self esteem of others:

1. Encourage young people to be positive and upbeat. This doesn't mean they have to be happy all the time, but try to focus on the positive aspects of life yourself and this will in turn encourage young people to do the same. Practice gratitude and teach gratitude to young people, take a look at some of these tools to help; Mindfulness Resources.

2. Be accepting of yourself. This means accepting your flaws and weaknesses, as well as your strengths and successes. Positively reinforce the same in young people.

3. Be honest with yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not, be true to who you are and proud of who you are and remind children to do the same.

4. Teach children to be assertive when necessary. This means standing up for themselves and their beliefs, even when it's not easy.

5. Seek out positive role models for young people. Look to people who have healthy self esteem and you may find that they will mimic their behaviour.

Building self esteem in childhood will help children tremendously as they grow into adolescence and then adulthood.

Building Self Esteem in The Teen Years

It's no secret that teenagers can be tough on themselves. The pressure to fit in, do well in school and look "perfect" can be overwhelming. So it's not surprising that many teens struggle with low self-esteem. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help your teen build self-esteem and feel good about who they are. Here are some tips:

Encourage positive self-talk. Help your teen identify the negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to low self-esteem. Then encourage them to replace these with more positive and realistic ones.

Encourage your teen to take risks and try new things. This can help them feel more confident and competent.

Help your teen find their passion. Doing things they love can boost their self-esteem and sense of purpose.

Encourage them to be assertive. Help them practice standing up for themselves in a respectful way.

Be a good role model. Show your teen how to treat yourself with kindness and respect.

Build a support network. Help your teen connect with family and friends who will love and accept them just as they are.

These are just a few things you can do to help your teen build self-esteem. I have a range of resources and journaling workbooks here that support this growth in teens; Building Self-Esteem.

Do you have experience in strengthening self-esteem in young people? Let me know what has worked for you below!

Rosie 🌹

Mental Health Resources Available