There are so many things parents can do to help children build self-esteem!
Self-esteem fluctuates, and can be affected by different situations we encounter during our life. I know it’s hard, especially for young girls who are just learning about self-esteem, and how easily someone can take it away if you allow them. As parents it’s our job to help our children grow up with self-esteem, and when they encounter a situation that made them feel poorly about themselves we should not only teach them how to handle the situation, but how to learn from it and treat others nicely.
It’s not easy to raise a child with self-esteem, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
My oldest daughter has come such a long way in such a short time that it almost doesn’t seem possible. I came into her life when she was 7 years old, and before me, she had a rough life. I could tell by spending time with her that her self-esteem was low, and I can’t say that I blame her. People who said they loved her were mean to her or found drugs more important. She had her dad, but she was a little girl who so desperately wanted a mom.
It took a while, and it was worth every last bit of effort from her father and me because she holds her head high, gets better grades, and chooses better friends, but she’s still the girl who befriends someone who is being picked on. I cannot tell you how proud of her I am; she’s a great kid and an amazing friend.
I’m not really sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way we became very close. I am not complaining one bit; I’m proud of the relationship I have with my teen daughter, because I know she will come to me if she needs something, and that’s a great feeling.
12 Ways Parents Can Help Children Build Self-Esteem!
We are all different; our children respond to different things some of the things I listed below might not work with your child, but do with mine. There might be things you do with your child that include that, and in that case, if you have extra time, leave us a comment. Here are a few ways parents can help children build self-esteem.
- Communication—talking—it’s the key to any relationship. Communication is a must; it helps you bond with your child, see how school is going, if there are any problems, as well as know what is going on in your child’s life.
- Say I love you – Don’t stop saying I love you!
- Time: One of the best things we can give our children is time! Time for whatever they want to do—talk, go to the park, or go out for ice cream. Spending time together and bonding has a great deal to do with a child’s self-esteem.
- Guide them. Once kids reach a certain age, I think we have to change our parenting methods. Rather than leading the way, we have to take a step over and let them walk almost beside us. We’re still their parents; they’ll respect that, but they need a few things as they grow and turn into young adults.
- Let them make mistakes. I try to let my kids experience things because I want them to leave home knowing as much about the world and how it works as possible. In addition, the best way to learn is from our mistakes. As parents, we need to be there for them when they need us, not to tell them they were wrong.
- Lead the way. Whether they admit it or not, they likely look up to you, and it’s important for you to be a good role model. Don’t complain about the way you look, say your fat, say rude things about others, and do your best to have a happy and healthy marriage. Be the person you want your children to grow up and be.
- Forgive: Just like any other relationship, you have to forgive and leave the past in the past. Bringing up the past is a great way to not only risk hurting your child but also make you live in the negativity. Forgive your child, move on, don’t hold a grudge, or run them into the ground.
- Be real. Expectations should always be realistic. Don’t set your child up for failure because you’re putting their self-esteem and confidence in jeopardy.
- Be honest. Be honest with your children from day one. Do not lie to them, even when you think they’re too little to remember, because these children grow up, and they’re smart enough to put the pieces together. You have to be honest with those you care about, or the trust is gone; it’s not easy to get it back either.
- Trust: If they should trust you, then you should trust them. This is always easier when both parties are honest, regardless of what it is. There have been times Catie has texted me to tell me something, because it’s important for her to bring it up, and that is fine with me. As long as I know she is talking to me, I’m okay.
- Respect: If you want your teen to respect you, show them the same respect.
- Decisions: Let your child make choices about their life. They should choose their own clothing, wear her hair the way she wants (of course there are limits; we’re still parents, lol), and teach her to make decisions.
- Speak Up: It might be hard, but if your child thinks something isn’t going right, even at home, allow them the chance to speak up. There is a respectful way to bring things up and have your voice heard. Teach your children to stand up for what they believe in and to not be scared of saying what’s on their mind in a respectful way.
- Hair, Makeup, Personal Hygiene: Whether you have boys or girls, there comes a time when parents need to teach them about personal hygiene. If you’re focused on helping your children have good self-esteem, they need to know how to take care of their bodies properly, and of course they need to start learning about hair. I love that my oldest daughter is finally old enough to teach about hair and makeup! We’ve always enjoyed doing each other’s nails, but in my opinion, hair and makeup are so much more fun!
When I started teaching Catie about hair, we started with experimenting with all the best hair care products for her hair. It would be nice if we could use all the same products, but not all hair care products are as awesome as Dove Pure Care Dry Oil and able to be used on all hair types, which both Catie and I have used and love!
When I think of the Dove brand, I think of all the amazing things they have done to help women of all ages realize just how beautiful they are. I’m not sure if you have seen their videos, but they are definitely worth checking out if you haven’t seen them. Every single time I watch them, I cry because they do things in such a unique and powerful way!
Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection
The Dove Pure Care Dry Oil collection is great for all types of hair and delivers your hair with silkier hair after only one wash. I know you’re wondering, does it work? Yes, the Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Collection leaves my hair feeling light, smooth, silky, and even more manageable than before. I’m totally happy with another one of Dove’s awesome hair care products, but I’m going to admit this collection is my favorite from start to finish.
About Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Hair Care Products
If you haven’t tried Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Hair, there are a few reasons you should: 1.) The giveaway I’m going to tell you about and 2.) Your hair deserves to feel silky smooth.
Catie and I have used Dove Pure Care Dry Oil hair care products, and it’s loaded with benefits, but the one I am most excited about is that it works great on all hair types! It also does an amazing job making my hair feel smooth and silky, and it’s easier for me to manage when it feels healthy and happy.
Whether you’re a mom or a teen, hair matters! When our hair looks great and feels silky smooth, it’s an instant confidence booster! Dove Pure Care Dry Oil is great for all hair types and delivers FIVE (5) times silkier hairs after only ONE (1) wash. Oh, that’s not it; there is plenty more!
howThe Dove Pure Care Dry Oil collection nourishes your hair without leaving it feeling yucky and greasyhelped; it’s proven to absorb quickly of. thanks to the featured blend of coconut oil and macadamia oil, it absorbs quickly, and Dove wants you to try Dove Pure Care Dry Oil hair care products. Oh, WAIT!
My daughter and I can’t share shampoo, conditioner, or many other hair care products because our hair types are extremely different. She has long, straight, thick, and when I say thick, I mean THICK hair. While I have wavy hair when it’s not curled or straightened, and it even has a mind of its own. Normally this time of year it’s a huge ball of fizzy stuff that doesn’t listen, lol. That sounds horrible, but that is how it feels. Oh, and did I forget static?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
