Boosting a Teen’s Confidence: Helping Them Feel Good About Themselves

Being a teenager is one of the scariest times in a person's life. That's because it's a time of uncertainty. Teenagers are trying to figure out who they are and where they belong in the world. Add to that all the stress of figuring out college, relationships, friendships, and navigating the social sphere at school. That's why whenever your teenager comes to you with a problem, listen to them wholeheartedly.

Teen Anxiety and How to Help

It's natural for a teenager to have a little bit of anxiety. That's because most of them are in high school where they are learning all of these new things mentally, physically, and socially. There is a lot of pressure put on teens to look, act, and feel a certain way. When they don't fit into this cookie-cutter mold of how a teenager should look and feel act, they become anxious. That's where a parent needs to remind them that they're perfect just the way they are.

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Growing Up and Going Through Changes

Teenagers go through a lot of stress because their bodies are changing. They're essentially becoming an adult not just mentally but also physically. In high school, there is pressure put on them to look a certain way. They see it in magazines, movies, and from their peers. Often times, they can get made fun of if they don't have the perfect body, perfect skin, and perfect hair. One of the most important things a parent can do is listening to a child's concerns and anxieties about their physical appearance and bringing up options can help them feel validated.

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While it's important for your teen to know you love them and their appearance, you can still listen to them if they want to change something. This could be things like a haircut, changing their hair color, getting their nails done, getting braces, getting a piercing, or trying a new acne treatment. If your child wants to tweak their appearance a little bit, listen to their concerns and their wants.

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Teaching Them to Love Themselves

Self-love is lacking among a lot of teens. It's something that needs to be practiced daily. Sit down with your teenager and have them tell you the things they love about themselves. You could also have them write these down. If they're ever going through a dark time, they can look at the list of all the things that they're appreciated for.

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Lending an Ear and a Heart to Their Problems

Whenever your teen speaks, listen to them. Telling your teen that their concerns are validated will help boost their confidence. Being a teen and navigating high school is hard. It can be made a bit easier by a parent who shows them that they are loved and that they are perfect.

If your child is exhibiting signs of not just normal teen anxieties and fears, and you’re concerned about their mental health, you should talk to them about it. Keep your path of communication as open as possible, so if they feel alone and in need of some help or guidance, they know they can go to you. You could also recommend they go to a therapist or group therapy to help them address these concerns and feelings in a safe space. Everyone wants to be heard and validated, so it’s vital to help your child find as many outlets as possible.