Tips on how to help your teenager improve self confidence

If you have a teenager, you must know the years beginning at 13 spanning until 19 can be a time of change and wondrous discoveries. Yes, I remember the smart comments of “knowing it all” or thinking they know it all when in reality it was a time of pushing the boundaries. While no two teenagers are alike, there are definitely some commonalities. Most teenagers have a desire to be liked by everyone and will avoid rejection at all cost.

In the desire to avoid rejection, criticism may become common place and in a lot of cases dominate the teen to the point of low self-confidence.

This however, can be lessened by providing your teen with a few tips on how to help improve self-confidence. An examination of strengths and weaknesses, an encouragement of personal choice in decision making, a celebration of uniqueness, and a constant reinforcement of love and acceptance will enable your teen to embrace life on their terms and improve self- confidence.

An examination of strengths and weaknesses

At the first sign of your teen showing signs of self-doubt is the perfect time to begin a discussion of the things your teen does well. Everyone has individual strengths and weaknesses and your teen is no different. When you are able to pull your teen’s strength’s out and expound on how in time with personal development could result into a more confident characteristic. Let your teen know that no one is perfect not even yourself but there are things that if properly developed can result in an asset for their future.

The weaknesses when discussed can be explained in a way that everyone has things that they may not do well. However, if the weakness is a skill that the teen would like to improve upon, it is possible with effort and consistency.

An encouragement of personal choice and decision making

This can be very important and vital to the growing teen. When the teen is encouraged to follow their personal choice against the common peer pressure, it can be a lifesaving decision. So many teens are pushed to follow the popular crowd that it is uncommon for teens to stand up for their personal choice and make the best decision for them.

It should be explained to the teen that while at times it may be difficult to go against the popular choice, it is better to stand with their personal choice and feel worthier about themselves instead of simply following what others want them to do. Explain it in a way that your teen feels empowered in their decision making so it will be easier for them to choose themselves over what others try to impose upon them.

A celebration of uniqueness

Every teen is unique. Plenty of encouragement should be applied in this area. There may be any number of characteristics that make your teen unique, celebrate it. Your teen may wear glasses; have ADD or ADHD, be short, tall, non-athletic, gay, or even very smart. Any of these qualities could result in rejection from the popular group but it is very important that the teen realizes that it is essential for them to stay true to themselves. They should be made to understand, not everyone will like them but if they are true to who they are, they will be respected and it is more important to be respected than liked.

Have a discussion with your teen and remain as realistic as possible when explaining this tip. If your teen understands at an early age that not everyone will like them and they should be okay with this. The sooner this is accepted, the better adjusted your teen will act.

Constant reinforcement of love and acceptance

If your teen is constantly reinforced with love and acceptance, the teen will have more self-confidence.

When your teen knows it is okay to be themselves, that they are accepted and loved by family or you if you are a single parent, while being encouraged to make decisions for themselves, the teen will feel empowered and confident. Love and acceptance will give the teen a boost when confronted with difficult life decisions and choices. It tells the teen that they have your full support.

When your teen is encouraged with the above tips it will allow their self-confidence to blossom. This self-confidence will enable the teen to live life on their terms and search out their individual destinies.