As a kid, I remember being very shy, reticent, and having an extremely withdrawn personality. Something as ordinary as a playdate with another kid would put a frown on my face and I would long for the time when I could be alone again. As a result, I grew up to be an unsociable person who regularly ran low on self-confidence and I only wish I had been equipped with enough of it as a child. Adulthood helped me get rid of some of those deep-rooted issues that also came along with a companion – the infamous anxiety!
As much as being introverted has its own indefinite perks, I realised way later in life that kids need to outgrow that phase very early, in order to grow into adults with extraordinarily high self-confidence.
Self-confidence in kids stems from a hundred different sources such as parent’s approval, pursuing exciting hobbies, developing healthy peer relations, and so on. That’s why it’s every parent’s responsibility to equip their kids with enough self-confidence to not only survive but also thrive.
These tips on how to boost your child’s self-confidence will go a long way in ensuring your kid oozes spunk and confidence:
- Praise your kids for their efforts, no matter the outcome: As a kid, the journey is more exciting and important than the destination itself. That’s why your little melon should never be embarrassed about trying. Whether your kid is able to score the winning goal or kicks the ball out of court, always applaud and cheer for them! I realised as I grew up that constantly trying hard bolstered my self-confidence more than an intermittent success.
- Give them space to figure their own problems out: I cannot stress this enough, kids (as they grow up) are more concerned with their personal space than adults give them credit for. The very act of trusting your kid to do the right thing or letting them figure out a complex problem all by themselves can sometimes be enough to instil confidence in them. When your child figures something out by himself, his morale will get a boost and he will feel motivated to deal with complicated problems in the future.
- Help them set goals that are realistic: Children have a habit of going astray when it comes to dreams and aspirations. If your child wants to be a cricketer, by all means, help them build that dream. However, if it seems like a bit of a stretch, then help them set goals that are realistic by guiding them through short-term steps that will eventually help them avoid feelings of despair or failure.
- Help them normalise failures and disappointments: Don’t be a rescuer, it will only ignite the entitlement fire in your kid and that’s not good! Feelings of disappointment and occasional despondency help build character in kids, which is thoroughly important while growing up. You will not be doing your child any favours by trying to spare their feelings and protecting them from life’s hurdles. Let them learn to overcome obstacles and nail life in their own way!
- Pay keen interest to your child’s special interests and hobbies: Children who have a hobby and regularly indulge in it have increased chances of being successful in other aspects of life. If your kid finds a passion – cooking, gardening, dinosaurs – fuel it and tell them you’re proud of it and will do everything in your will to ensure they stay invested.
Children are surprisingly stronger than we usually give them credit for! With the right parenting strategies, you can help boost your child’s self-confidence and help them excel in everything they pursue in life.
If you have more tips to share, please do so in the comments section!
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