6 Ways to Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem
As parents, all we want is the best for our children. That includes their self-esteem. We don’t want them to have low self-esteem. We don’t want them to believe they’re nothing but failures. We don’t want them to be stressed out and miserable because they don’t think they’re good enough.
But how can we help them develop this confidence in themselves? How can we encourage them to improve their self-esteem? It’s not an easy thing to do, and it’s very easy to get it wrong. That’s not something we want to risk. Not when we know how important self-esteem is in a person’s life.
1. Let Them Enjoy their Hobbies
All kids have things they’re good at and things they enjoy. As long as they finish whatever they start, they’ll get a sense of achievement from it. Yes, even video games. As parents, we may be reluctant to let our kids play so many video games, but completing them is actually good for our kids. They can get a lot of confidence simply by finishing things, especially if it involves fighting the toughest boss in their game.
2. Encourage Autonomy
Kids do better when we let them make their own choices. Age-appropriate, of course. We can let them choose what dinner to have one night and even help them prepare it if they are able. We can ask them to choose what to wear on a daily basis, for example. Making choices without second-guessing themselves is one of the ways they build self-esteem.
3. Let Them Take Risks
Life is full of risks. Some are more dangerous than others, of course, but some are harmless. If our kid picks up a juice bottle that’s too big or heavy for them, but they seem insistent on doing it on their own, we should let them. So, what if they drop it or spill it?
Being able to navigate situations where they try to do things and mess up is good for them. They can figure out a way to solve the problem or make up for their mistakes in the aftermath. This is an excellent way to build their self-esteem and improve their problem-solving skills.
4. Failure is a Friend
On that note, we need to remember failure isn’t the enemy. Failure can teach our kids a lot. We just have to make sure they see it as a learning opportunity and not a stain on their character. The best way for them to learn this is by the behavior we model. We should let our kids see our mistakes, failures, and perseverance after the fact. And when they fail, we can encourage them to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
5. Show them Unconditional Love
At the end of the day, we have to remember self-esteem comes from a strong sense of security. The best way to give our kids security is to show them unconventional love. It means not being extremely harsh with them when they make a mistake. If they bring home a bad report card, we should offer love before pointing out any errors. That is the best way to help our kids build their self-esteem.
6. Consult a Counselor
Sometimes, our best efforts don’t work out. That’s not necessarily our fault, but that doesn’t mean our kids have to keep suffering. If, despite all this, our children still struggle with low self-esteem, then the best thing we can do is to take them to a counselor. They can help our kids in ways we can’t, and it can set them up for success in the long run. Call Fox Child and Family Therapy today at 913-229-5691 and let’s schedule a time to talk.