Many teenagers find adolescence to be filled with insecurity and self-doubt. They want so desperately to fit in (or blend in) with the crowd that the thought of being different in any way can send some spiralling into anxiety. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little coaching, your teen will find ways to boost their self esteem and have the confidence they need to make it through secondary school and college unscathed. Here are four strategies that will help you, as a parent, to raise a self-confident teenager.
1. Encourage Self Improvement
Teens who struggle with their appearance, or with a certain skill, may decide that they’re unable to fit in or that they’re a failure. Likewise, a teen who fails to make the hockey team may immediately decide that they’re no good at sport. It’s important to show your teen that it’s acceptable to have some flaws and that there’s no reason not to strive to be better. If your teen is ashamed of their teeth, for example, you might want to visit straightmyteeth.com and order them some clear braces. Invisible braces won’t be noticeable to their friends, and they don’t require a dentist appointment either. In the same vein, you could take your teen to the park to practice some sport skills with them to help them improve.
2. Praise the Effort
A lot of parents make the mistake of praising the results that their child achieves. However, this can help to foster a sense of failure if the end result is not as expected, which is not ideal. Instead of praising your child for their exam grade, or their football win, praise the effort they put in. “All the extra studying you did has clearly paid off,” or “the time you spent practicing corner kicks was well worth it!” for example. You need to show them that it’s okay if they don’t succeed or come out first all of the time. It’s the effort that they put in that is important.
3. Teach Assertiveness
While most teenagers just want to fit in, it’s important to teach them assertiveness and how to stand up for themselves. A teenager who is assertive will have the confidence to speak up if they don’t understand something, or if they feel like something is unfair. They are also less likely to be treated poorly by other students. This is an important skill to have, not only in school but also as an adult.
4. Model Confidence
Finally, a lot of what you do, and how you act, will pass on to your teen. If you are constantly openly worried about the way you look or the things that you aren’t good at don’t be surprised when your teen does the same. Be a role model for them and show them how to face new situations with confidence. If they’re worried about something, tell them about a similar situation you faced and how you overcame it.
Although the teenage years can be hard, it is possible to build self-confidence if you keep the above tips in mind.