Maintaining a healthy level of self-esteem can be critical during a child’s development. Girls may be especially prone to struggling with low self-esteem due to the beauty standards society often places on them.
Thus, parents can play a significant role in ensuring that their daughters feel valuable and see themselves in a positive light, regardless of the harmful messages sent by their peers and society.
Photo by Eye for Ebony on Unsplash
Continue reading to learn more about boosting your daughter’s self-esteem and setting her up for success in adulthood.
Tips For Boosting Your Daughter’s Self-Esteem
Those who have high self-esteem are more likely to excel in their relationships, at work, and in school. Adults who grow up to have high self-esteem start to develop this quality very early on during childhood, and it continues to form for the rest of their lives.
Although many factors can influence a child’s development, parents can play a critical role in determining who they’ll become and how they’ll feel about themselves.
The following are some tips for parents seeking to help their daughters grow into adults with a healthy level of self-esteem.
1. Point out her non-physical strengths
Girls are often complimented on their physical features rather than their unique qualities, skills, and personalities. Although it can be important to remind your daughter that she’s beautiful, it’s equally as vital to remind her what makes her special.
You might point out her intelligence, creativity, athleticism, sense of humor, or ability to care for kids and animals. Focusing on your daughter’s non-physical talents can help teach her that she has more to offer than her looks.
2. Show acceptance
One of the best things you can do for your daughter is accept her for who she is, not who you want her to be. Girls receive daily messages telling them to act, feel, or think a certain way, and fitting in often requires conforming to these ideals.
By showing complete acceptance of your daughter regardless of her identity or choices, you can instill a sense of pride and empowerment into her being, leading her to develop greater confidence and self-assurance.
3. Be a positive role model
As a parent, you’ve automatically taken on the part of a role model in your daughter’s life. Thus, it can be crucial not to talk about yourself in front of your daughter, as this shows self-respect and acceptance.
By speaking kindly about yourself and avoiding criticisms of your appearance and abilities, you can set a positive example for your daughter and encourage her to love herself as she is.
4. Encourage her to pursue her interests
Everyone has different interests in life, whether it’s playing a sport, excelling in a certain subject, or going after a specific goal. If your daughter has low self-esteem, she may be hesitant to make choices that make her happy or even avoid pursuing her interests because of peer pressure or perceived lack of ability.
Rather than letting her sit back and feel this way, take the time to encourage her to chase her dreams and engage in the activities that give her a sense of purpose. Your support can make the difference between untapped potential and meaningful accomplishments.
5. Teach positive self-talk
How we feel about ourselves is typically influenced by the way we speak to ourselves. Teach your daughter how to be gentle and kind with her words, using the power of language to build herself up rather than tear herself down.
When your daughter experiences failure, remind her that there will be other opportunities in the future and that what matters is that she tried her best.
Teaching her to learn from different situations instead of criticizing her shortcomings can be essential in developing a healthy level of self-esteem.
6. Motivate her to try new things
Kids may feel hesitant to get out of their comfort zone and try new things. However, experiencing novel situations is often what leads to personal growth. If there’s something your daughter wants to try or even isn’t sure about, encourage her to go for it and remind her that many things are worth giving at least one chance.
Trying something new can be the catalyst that leads her to take chances and pursue other opportunities in the future instead of holding back out of fear.
Any of these tactics may prove useful in helping your daughter with low self-esteem. However, because every child is different, it can be important to approach situations with an open mind and the ability to adapt to what your daughter needs.
The Problem With Low Self-Esteem
Sometimes, low self-esteem may lead to other concerns such as depression, social anxiety, eating disorders, or addiction. Addressing these issues can be crucial, as they can worsen when left untreated.
BetterHelp offers online therapy for concerns related to low self-esteem, which may be useful for parents who aren’t sure how to assist their child with serious concerns like those listed above.
Photo by Roxxie Blackham on Unsplash
A Lifetime Of Learning
Your daughter’s self-esteem journey will last them a lifetime, but you can often make a noticeable difference in their lives while they’re young, and sometimes even after.
By teaching your daughter healthy habits like positive self-talk and reminding her of the qualities that make her special, you can empower her to love herself and treat others with the same dignity and respect.
This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
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