Your child is on the verge of adolescence, a time in life when many teens question their own existence. They question if they’ll ever find someone to love them or if they’ll be lonelier and more isolated as they pursue their careers and social lives. While it may seem like an anxious, fragile time for some teens, research shows that being yourself is the best way for your child to develop a sense of self-worth and confidence. In fact, feeling confident about who you are and what you want out of life can help you deal with peer pressure better and prevent you from developing eating disorders at a later age. Self-expression is also critical for school success in today’s world where students are expected to demonstrate academic aptitude, attendance, and behavior in class. Fortunately, during this challenging period in a child’s development, there are several positive ways that school of confidence can support young people who are trying to grow up with confidence and speak with pride.
Teach Self-Discipline and Self-Esteem Before School Begins
If your child is in the first year of High School, you can start teaching your child self-discipline and self-esteem at the same time. This will help your child stay focused and on-task while he or she grows up. It will help your child move away from self-loathing and onto a more positive path by helping your child appreciate others for who they are and what they stand for. And, it will allow him or her to feel confident enough to ask for help when they need it without feeling self-dis crammed.
Talk About What You Love
Talking about what you love can help your child understand what makes you tick and help her see that there are people outside of school who can support her interests, hobbies, and lifestyle too. Talking about her interests and what she’s into can also help your child set a good example for others by showing them that you’re down-to-earth, fun-loving, and open-minded. Talking about your interests can also allow you to unpack your child’s confusing sense of self-worth and shame and feel more accountable for your actions as you grow up.
Give Students Opportunities to Shine
Keeping track of your child’s school activities and seeing what they’re doing this year can be challenging for your child. Knowing when they’re having a good day and having a bad day can be confusing as well. It can also better to ask your child what’s going on in their life and if they have any questions they may not be ready to ask out-loud. Instead, offer simple solutions that your child can understand and offer checklists to help them map out their experiences. As your child grows older, you may decide that you’d like to become a more active part of their social lives. So, you can encourage them to say yes to everyone they know whenever they’re interested and offer checklists to help them identify what they need to do to be heard.
Embrace the Differences Among Students
Kids of all ages get nervous when strangers are addressed in a certain way. It can feel uncomfortable or even suspicious, and most of us would have an immediate correction! Your child is not a stranger to you. You’re just one of the people they’re talking to. So, you can begin to engage in normal, non-threatening conversations with your child as they walk by. Most kids would get the hint that you’re nearby and start to walk away. But not your child! Instead, engage in friendly, non-judgmental conversation, trying to soothe your child’s jitters by telling them that you’re happy for them and that you don’t care about them very much.
Show Students How to Speak Up and Stand Up for Yourself
It’s easy to say “I’m so glad you understand” or “I love you” to a student but really, you have to say it out loud. Your child might not even realize that you’re there until it’s too late. So, try saying it to their face and showing them that you care. If you meet someone new and they seem confident and strong without having to use a lot of words, offer them verbal therapy instead. For your own benefit, offer to walk them to their next class if they need to go somewhere private. And, repeat the process until your child starts speaking up and saying what they need to say out loud.
Conclusion
As your child grows older, it’s likely that you’ll start to notice feelings of pressure and anxiety. These feelings can lead to eating disorders at a later age. It’s important to understand that your child’s initial confusion about who they are and what they stand for is normal since it’s a part of growing up. Let go of the guilt and shame that you feel for not being able to do something for your child such as picking them up from school or helping them with their homework. Instead, offer your support, offer your empathy, and offer your love. You too can be the first person they ever call when they need help.
Breathe in, imagine yourself on the other side of the globe, and imagine that you and your child are having a happy, healthy, and productive relationship. Then, open your mind to all of the different ways that you can support your child in ways that will help them grow up to be the best version of themselves.
