Self-Esteem: A Child’s Key to a Brighter Future |

The following is written by guest blogger, Ruth. This is an outlet for individuals who would like to share their stories, in the hope that others will connect and find support. If you have a story you’d like to share, please message us on Facebook or email us at bianca@momof11kids.com.

“Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire.” – Anonymous

Every parent wants their children to be successful in life. No mother wants to see their kid fail when they grow up and become independent. People say you only need to think positively to attract positivity and think about being successful to become successful. If this is true, then parents must start teaching kids the right mindset of positive thinking. Doing this is hard, because one has to be in control of their mind and emotions. Kids simply don’t have that discipline yet. That’s why parents should be there to help their children to regard themselves well.

Having high self-esteem frees a person from insecurities and negative thoughts. People with low self-confidence are usually worried about failing, and they also tend to exaggerate simple events for the worse. They also often interpret non-critical comments as critical, and experience anxiety. Altogether, these make social interaction awkward. Expressing themselves freely comes hard as well. And as if things can’t get any worse, low self-esteem is also related to depression in children and teens.

Self-esteem is important

High self-esteem significantly improves a person’s outlook. Life suddenly becomes lighter and simpler, because there are fewer things to worry about. It also contributes to a more stable and happier state of mind.

But of course, improving a child’s self-esteem will require dedication and patience, especially if they show low self-esteem to start with. Here are some simple activities for your child that will enhance their confidence.

Journal Writing

Keeping a diary or a journal does not only enhance literacy and writing skills. It is also a good self-reflection tool, which is the foundation in developing a healthy and strong self-esteem. It’s a great way to reflect on what they’ve done, so it’s easier for them to feel good about things they did. Without observing oneself, and without keeping a record of good deeds made, it becomes harder to improve self-esteem. Writing is also a great way to let go of bad feelings like resentment and anger. Writing about dreams and wants is also an effective way to start reaching them.

Sports

Participating in sports activities can significantly enhance a person’s self-esteem. While little kids might not be aware of it at first, but pushing one’s limits in sports can help kids find abilities and characteristics they never knew they had. What’s great about sports is it shows a person’s development evidently. When you do something you never thought you can accomplish, it’s something to be proud of, and definitely something to feel good about. Sports also help maintain your kids’ physical and mental health.

Camping

Camping provides benefits to children in many ways. Though little is known about the effects camping can provide in children’s self-esteem levels, it’s an avenue for kids to be active in practicing their skills. Camping promotes independence in kids and reserves room in pushing their limits. It’s also important to point out that some studies confirm that organized camps geared towards self-development are better in enhancing self-esteem compared to those geared towards nature exploration alone. Improvement in kids are also more apparent on kids aged 6-10 years old, so make sure to enroll your kids in camps while they are in this age bracket.

DIY Crafts

At some point, kids and teens will experience challenging times. A failed exam, first “heartbreak”, and even pressure from parents are sources of stress for kids. Creating arts and crafts is a great distraction from all that stress. Pulling away from depressing thoughts and circumstances is important in preserving a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Failure is inevitable, but dwelling on it isn’t healthy. It’s good, however, to ponder on failures and reflect on the lessons they tell. But beating yourself up too much out of guilt or regret won’t help.

Board Games

Playing board games is an excellent activity that bolsters self-esteem in children. This is especially true when parents are encouraging their kids to take the lead. Depending on which game, playing board games is a great avenue to develop leadership, decision-making, and resourcefulness. Remember that self-esteem comes from the feeling of being in control of situations. If they’re having a hard time, help them by giving hints on options they can take, and letting them decide on their own. Board games also teach kids to be responsible for decisions they make.

Your role is important

Providing room for your child’s self-esteem to grow at an early age is critical in their development. A feeling of self-worth and importance will lay the crucial foundation for our children’s future, before they set out and try new things on their own. Even though they’re still in the trial-and-error phase, they should feel that they’ll be able to make it. Parents must provide praise and encouragement, but not to the point where a child becomes boastful. Also, it should be reserved for very challenging tasks so as not to make them feel the pressure of being perfect. After all, there’s no such thing as flawless parenting. What’s important is we give our children the best and full support future we have.

About the Author
Ruth is a working mom with lovely and sweet twins. She and her husband are working together in getting their kids to do yoga, with little success. Ruth works as a Community Manager for Afterschool.ae, the leading after school activity planning platform for kids and moms in Dubai.

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Self-Esteem: A Child’s Key to a Brighter Future