Adolescence can be a tough time for many kids.
They're dealing with the changes that come with puberty, they're navigating new social situations, and they may be comparing themselves to their peers.
All of this can lead to low self-esteem.
There are a number of things that parents can do to help their kids boost their self-esteem.
Self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves. It's the opinion we have of ourselves and whether or not we like and respect ourselves.
Some ways to recognize the signs of low self-esteem are:
One way to help boost your kid's self-esteem is to help them understand that everyone has both strengths and weaknesses.
No one is perfect. It's okay to make mistakes. What's important is how we learn from our mistakes and grow from them.
One way to help boost self-esteem is to encourage your kid to develop positive self-talk.
Positive self-talk is the things we say to ourselves in our heads.
It's the little voice that gives us encouragement and motivation.
Some ways to encourage positive self-talk are:
It's important to have realistic expectations for your kid.
We all want our children to succeed, but putting too much pressure on them can lead to low self-esteem.
Some ways to have realistic expectations are:
By setting realistic expectations, you can help your child feel good about their accomplishments, even if they're not perfect.
Failure is a part of life. It's how we learn and grow.
But, for kids with low self-esteem, failure can feel like the end of the world.
Some ways to help your child deal with failure are:
It's important to talk to your child or young adult about failure and provide the tools they need in order to grow from it when it happens.
A growth mindset is a belief that we can learn and improve.
It's the opposite of a fixed mindset, which is the belief that our abilities are set in stone.
Some ways to encourage a growth mindset are:
The last thing you can do to help boost your child's self-esteem is to focus on the process, not the outcome.
The process is the journey, not the destination.
One of the best things you can do to help boost your child's self-esteem is to model healthy self-esteem for them.
If you have low self-esteem, it can be hard to hide.
Your child will pick up on your cues, both verbal and nonverbal.
Some ways to model healthy self-esteem are:
It's important to encourage your child to express their feelings, both good and bad. It's okay to feel sad, angry, or scared.
What's important is how we deal with those feelings.
Setting good examples and providing a model they can follow is an important part of learning how to boost their self-esteem in adolescence.
Adolescence is a time of exploration.
It's a time to try new things and find out what we're good at.
Helping your child find their passion or talent is a great way to boost self-esteem.
Some ways to help your child find their passion or talent are:
The last thing you can do to help boost your child's self-esteem is to focus on the process, not the outcome.
This is an important aspect because the learning process happens along the journey they take.
It's good to have goals, and it's also good to learn a process for achieving those goals so they can be repeated again and again.
One way to help boost your child's self-esteem is to encourage them to be kind to others.
When we're kind, we feel good about ourselves.
It's a great way to build self-esteem and it also helps the world be a little bit nicer place.
Some ways to encourage your child to be kind are:
Helping your child boosts their self-esteem doesn't have to be complicated.
It can be as simple as encouraging them to try new things, to stick with it when they're struggling, and to be kind to others.
All of these things will help your child feel good about themselves and build healthy self-esteem.
Another way to help boost your child's self-esteem is to help them find things to be grateful for.
When we're grateful, we focus on the positive.
It's a great way to build self-esteem and it also helps us appreciate what we have.
Some ways to help your child find things to be grateful for are:
Helping your child learn how to boost their self-esteem doesn't have to be complicated.
It can be as simple as helping them find things to be grateful for.
When they focus on the positive, they'll feel good about themselves and build healthy self-esteem.
If you're concerned about learning how to boost your child's self-esteem, or if they seem to be struggling, don't hesitate to get professional help.
A therapist can help your child understand and work through any underlying issues.
The information in this article is for informational use only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
If you need help, please seek out advice from a licensed medical professional.
Boosting your child's self-esteem is important for their overall health and wellbeing.
It's a great way to help them cope with the challenges of adolescence and set them up for success in life.
There are many simple things you can do to help boost your child's self-esteem.
Just remember to be positive, encouraging, and accepting.
If you're concerned about your child's self-esteem, don't hesitate to get professional help.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of Overcomers Counseling. I'm dedicated to helping individuals find strength and healing through life’s challenges. With a deep understanding of mental health and years of professional experience, I specialize in fostering hope and resilience while equipping her clients with tools to thrive. Passionate about empowering others, she creates a safe, supportive space where everyone feels seen, valued, and capable of overcoming obstacles on their path to well-being.
You can teach your child persistence by modeling the behavior yourself, encouraging them to take risks, setting goals and tracking progress, praising effort, and providing support and guidance.
