As a parent, you want what’s best for your child.
Health and happiness are your main goals for your child.
You would do anything to protect your child or to make sure they’re safe, healthy, and happy.
But you also know that you can’t do everything for them. Part of being a parent is finding that balance between teaching them things and them learning on their own.
That balance is what helps your child build confidence and self-esteem, which are just as important and actually go hand in hand with health and happiness.
Let’s learn more about how you can improve your child’s self-esteem.
Lean Into Their Interests
Supporting your child and their interests can go a long way. When your child knows that you’re interested in the things they care about or speak about, it can be an instant mood and confidence booster. Sometimes, all your kid needs is to know that their parent or one of their parents is there supporting them, reassuming them, and guiding them. That reassurance and validation speak volumes.
If your child has a soccer or baseball game, make sure you’re cheering for them in the bleachers. If your child has a choir or band concert, sitting in the crowd watching them is all they need from you. Sign them up for classes or lessons in areas they’re showing interest in. You never know what if the hobby could turn into a passion.
Show Them You Love and Care
As a parent, you obviously love and care for your children. Just because it’s a known fact doesn’t mean you don’t have to show it. The love and care you give your children help your child feel safe and secure in the family, at home, and with themselves. Take time to be with them. Hug or kiss them goodnight before they go to sleep. If you’re able, try to be the ones to drop them off or pick them up from school.
Implement Chores and Responsibilities
Age-appropriate chores can be a great way for your child to build self-esteem on their own. Chores don’t have to be something that’s a punishment. They can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment once the chores are completed. Use chores as a teaching opportunity. Show your child how to do something, and let them take it from there. If there make a mistake or don’t do something correctly, take the time to teach them and encourage them to do it correctly. Praising their efforts can help build their confidence.
Allow Them to Become Independent
No matter how much you want your kid to stay a kid forever, that’s not something that’s possible. As a parent, you want what’s best for them, and that means giving them the space to grow into their own person. Letting your children grow up and gain a sense of independence can be a great and natural way to build their own self-esteem.
Encourage them to work on their own homework assignments or projects. Work with them to make sure they have their bookbag or items for their extracurricular activities in order. Work with them to complete their homework, pack their bookbag or sports bag with their supplies and uniform, and make their lunch the night before.
Next Steps
Helping to build your child’s self-esteem goes hand in hand with wanting them to be safe, happy, and healthy. Self-esteem plays a huge role in a child’s life and even stays with them as they grow up. Your child isn’t going to be perfect. There’s no such thing. You can work with them to help set them up for success. If you need a little extra support in the self-esteem department, you’re not alone. We can work with you and your child to help make sure you’re on the right track. Reach out to us today to set up a consultation for parenting coaching.