![\"building-confidence-in-kids_1mb\"](\"https:\/\/cdn2.hubspot.net\/hubfs\/3295812\/Imported_Blog_Media\/Building-Confidence-in-Kids_1mb.jpg\")
As a mother of two boys, I\u2019m always amazed at how incredibly different two kids can be. They are both sweet, kind, hilarious, intelligent and thoughtful young men, but when it comes to self-esteem and confidence\u2026they are polar opposites!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
For our oldest, most things in life have always come quite easily to him. He learned to read quite early with ease, he catches onto video games better than most adults, and he\u2019s excelled at pretty much any sport he\u2019s ever tried to play. So, his self-esteem and confidence levels are usually pretty good. He\u2019s not arrogant by any means, but he doesn\u2019t get down on himself too often either. It\u2019s a good balance.<\/p>\n
Our youngest on the other hand\u2026completely different story. He tends to take a little longer to reach his goals and because of that, he becomes hard on himself. He gets upset and thinks he can\u2019t do things because it didn\u2019t happen the first time. The words \u201cI can\u2019t!\u201d and \u201cI\u2019m so bad at this\u201d have become common statements in our house. I\u2019m sure having an older brother that appears to do anything and everything without struggle hasn\u2019t helped his self-esteem either.<\/p>\n
While we obviously try to build confidence in both our children, I\u2019ve found that our youngest requires a little more encouragement and a little more praise. No parent likes hearing their children speak negatively about themselves, so I thought I\u2019d share some insight on some simple strategies that we\u2019ve found has helped to build confidence in our children. Praise<\/strong> \u2013 Make sure you praise them for trying their best. Kids need to know that their EFFORT is important \u2013 not just the outcome. So, whether they hit the game winning home run and become the team hero, or they came in 9th<\/sup> place at the local spelling bee, they need to know that you \u2013 their parent – are proud of them no matter what because they tried their best. Encouragement<\/strong> \u2013 Make sure you\u2019re using words of encouragement like \u201cGood job\u201d, \u201cYou can do it!\u201d, \u201cYou make me proud.\u201d If they\u2019re having a bad day and think they can\u2019t do something, remind them of some past achievements. Like, when they thought that couldn\u2019t read that book, or when they thought they would never score a goal \u2013 and they did! Simple reminders of what they\u2019ve achieved and a few words of encouragement can go a long way.<\/p>\n Positive Influences<\/strong> \u2013 When you surround your children with happy, confident and positive people, it\u2019s bound to rub off. As adults, we don\u2019t like being around people who are angry or negative all the time \u2013 and neither do kids! And it\u2019s certainly not healthy for them. Being around adults who are happy, confident, and encouraging will help them think that way too. Give them Chores<\/strong> \u2013 If your kids are anything like mine, they\u2019ll complain when you ask them to take out recycling or put away their clothes. But when they\u2019re done and I thank them for helping me \u2013 they smile from ear to ear. They feel helpful. They feel needed. They feel GOOD about themselves. (And hey \u2013 they might start doing more chores WITHOUT complaining! I can hope, right?) Love <\/strong>\u2013 Yep, it\u2019s that simple. Show them how much you love them. Tell them you love them every single day. Multiple times. Hug them. Kiss them. Squeeze them. Leave no doubt in their mind that you love them more than anyone else in this world.<\/p>\n Sometimes, that\u2019s all they need.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As a mother of two boys, I\u2019m always amazed at how incredibly different two kids can be. They are both sweet, kind, hilarious, intelligent and thoughtful young men, but when it comes to self-esteem and confidence\u2026they are polar opposites!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-830","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-mom-moments","7":"category-parenting"},"yoast_head":"\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n