Published By: Satavisha

Five Strategies To Build Confidence And Self-Esteem In Teens

Teenage years are full of drastic changes, and as a parent, you want your teens to feel confident about who they are.

Adolescence, for many is a time filled with insecurities, a questionable body image, and self-doubt. But you can adopt strategies to help your teen build confidence and self-esteem, and it will benefit them in several ways. Confident teens tend to be better prepared to make good decisions, handle peer pressure, navigate challenging relationships, and recover from setbacks. Here are five strategies that can help you instil life-long self-esteem and confidence in your teen.

Promote self-improvement to help them identify their strengths

Teens who take longer to master a skill often end up feeling like complete failures. For instance, a teen struggling with mathematics at school may conclude they are not smart. But you must show them that there is a healthy balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance. Show your teen that it is possible to accept flaws while striving to get better.

Praise their effort and not the outcome.

Instead of praising your teen for scoring good grades on an exam, appreciate them for all the hard work they did. Instead of telling them, "You did a great job scoring 95 in English", say, "All the practice you have been doing has paid off." Convince them that it is significant to work hard and it is fine if they do not always succeed.

Encourage new opportunities

Motivating them to try new activities, to explore their hidden talents can help them develop confidence. As a parent, you should encourage your teen to play a musical instrument, join a club, find a part-time job, or engage in volunteer work. Mastering new skills will enable your teen to feel better about themselves, and being in a group provides them with several new friendship opportunities, helping them feel more confident and secure.

Be a family that never gives up.

Encourage your teen to opt for something they are not good at or to try something new, even if they feel underconfident at the outset. Sticking to something wholeheartedly will teach them to embrace a growth mindset and will instil confidence in them along the way.

Talk about assertiveness

Persuasive, clear, and confident communication does not come easy to every teen. A lot of teens do not have a proper understanding of the differences between passive, assertive, and aggressive communication. Encourage them to practice in front of a mirror to help them identify the nuances of assertive communication. Standing up tall and speaking clearly can enhance how they feel, especially when they do not feel very confident going into a tough situation.

With your guidance and support, your teen can develop confidence and build self-worth to match the images they are sharing on social media.