1. Highlight their strengths
“Everyone has their own type of intelligence” - Howard Gardner, American psychologist
This is an important phrase to remember when it comes to boosting a teenager's self-confidence. By identifying your child's talents and what they excel at, you can encourage them to develop those strengths. It doesn’t matter the field—sports, music, art, cooking 👩🍳…
Doing this helps your teen recognize their abilities. Celebrate their achievements by showing them that you’re proud of them. There’s nothing more rewarding and uplifting than having supportive parents 🥰!
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2. Set achievable goals
To strengthen your teen’s self-confidence, help them set realistic goals that are challenging but still attainable 😉. Break these goals into smaller steps so that every success, no matter how small, boosts their sense of personal effectiveness. Psychologist Albert Bandura emphasizes how important this is for motivation. The more we see ourselves achieving goals, the more motivated we become 😌!
When your teen achieves a goal, warmly congratulate them and let them know you’re proud of their efforts. And if they fail, avoid being a toxic family by criticizing them. Instead, downplay the failure and encourage them to try again. That’s how we learn and grow.
3. Teach them to stay positive
Mistakes and failures are part of life. What matters is learning from them. Help your teen see the bright side, even when things are tough. After a setback, encourage them to ask the right questions: What can I learn from this? How can I do better next time?
By adopting this growth mindset, your teen will understand that their abilities aren’t fixed and that they can improve with perseverance. And that’s the key to boosting their self-confidence 💪!
⚠️ Be careful not to fall into toxic positivity. If there’s psychological distress, it’s important to consult a psychologist! |
4. Encourage them to step out of their comfort zone
A little stress can be motivating, but too much can be paralyzing, as Robert Yerkes famously said. It’s important to gently push your teen to try new things and take on challenges without throwing them into the deep end. The challenges should interest them and be within their reach; otherwise, they’ll never want to leave their comfort zone.
When they do step out of their comfort zone, always provide positive reinforcement, even if they fail. What matters is that they had the courage to try 🥺. Over time, they’ll learn to overcome their fear of failure and take calculated risks. And that’s great for building self-confidence!
5. Lead by example
Have you noticed how kids love to imitate adults? That’s because, when we’re young, we learn by observing our parents. This is also true for teens, who are at a critical stage of building the adults they’ll become tomorrow.
So, remember this: you are your teen’s first role model. Show them how to face challenges by talking about your own difficulties and the resources you use to overcome them.
Even if they don’t show it (ah, teenagers 😂), they place their parents at the center of their lives and observe everything. If you adopt a positive attitude toward life’s ups and downs, they’ll do the same!
6. Create a supportive environment
Last but not least: create a supportive environment at home! For a child to truly thrive and build confidence, they need to feel secure, listened to, and accepted, no matter what they do or say.
To achieve this, don’t hesitate to foster open communication: let them know they can tell you anything, even their most embarrassing thoughts, without fear of judgment (and make sure you don’t judge them, okay? Keep your emotions in check!). This way, conflicts with your teen will be resolved more quickly.
Supporting them through both good and bad times will show them that your love is unconditional and that they can count on you. What better way to build their confidence 🤗?
Editorial Note: Taking Care of Your Mental Health to Support Your TeenBoosting your teen’s self-confidence is a daily effort, but remember: you’re not alone in this journey. As a parent, you play a key role, but it’s equally important to recognize when you need help. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, things can feel out of control, and that’s when a professional can make all the difference.
Taking care of your teen’s mental health also means taking care of your own. If you feel overwhelmed, if your child is struggling, or if you’re finding it hard to cope, don’t hesitate to consult a psychologist. There’s no shame in asking for help—it’s an act of courage and love for both you and your child. 💪
🤗 Understand yourself, accept yourself, and be happy… It starts here and now!
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