We do our best as parents, carers and educators to provide our children with the tools they’ll need to build happy, successful lives. In doing so it’s essential that we support our children with their self-esteem.
People with high self-esteem like themselves and believe that they are capable and worthy. As a result, they make better choices, become more resilient, and push harder to reach their goals. They’re more likely to be happy, successful, and emotionally healthy.
How can parents and carers build their child’s self-esteem? Do we shower them with compliments 24/7? Do we shield them from failure, so they’ll feel good about themselves? These approaches can be detrimental to self-esteem in the long run. Children build lasting self-esteem when they feel competent, accepted, and loved.
Here are three effective ways to give your child the vital tool of self-esteem.
- Give your child choices and responsibilities – when children are allowed to make choices, they feel more powerful. With young children these choices could include choosing between bread and cereal for breakfast.
- Praise sincerely – its important to give praise sparingly and genuinely. That way, our kids know we really mean it.
- Use failure as an opportunity to boost self-esteem. Let your child challenge themselves, make mistakes and occasionally fail. Make it clear you love them just the same.
