How to Instill Good Self Esteem in Preteen Girls

The preteen years are often difficult years. Media pressure for perfection and beauty, many young girls have a hard time maintaining the good self esteem that they deserve. Our girls need good self esteem to thrive and do well in life. Here are some tips to help your girl succeed.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Expose your girl to strong role models. Good role models have a great effect on preteen girls. Show your girl examples of women with great challenges that went on to succeed. It's proof that even in difficult situations they can go on to prevail.

2. Never Criticize your own self image in front of your preteen girl. It is very important that women understand that their comments, will
   affect their daughters. You must start with yourself to promote a healthy self image.

3. Involve your preteen in sports. Being active in sports is proven to help girls stay healthy in their choices in life. Being involved in sports allows your preteen to have something to work towards. By being able to reach their goal, the girls are able to attain self respect and a sense of accomplishment. Consider enrolling your girl in some sort of extra-curricular activity.

4. Encourage you girl to try new things, even if she does not succeed. Don't take over if your girl is failing. This may inadvertently be interpreted as being weak, helpless or incompetent. If she asks for help, go ahead and help. Make sure that she knows she can and will be able to take care of herself.

5. Help your girl deal with friend troubles. Cliques start as early as the preteen years. Help your preteen talk through what is going on. Help her to see that this situation is not permanent and things will change. Let her know you are there for her and advise her on how to work out the situation.

6. Listen to your girl. Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives we are not fully present for our girl. Set what you are doing aside for the few minutes that it takes your preteen to tell you what they want you to know. Pay close attention and listen to your preteen when they speak to you.

7. Praise their accomplishments! Your preteen's self-esteem will soar when they see that you are proud and excited for them in their accomplishments.
   
   Finding ways to increase your preteen's self-esteem - the end result will be a well rounded confident young lady. Girls grow up so fast that sometimes we forget that they need us just as much now as they did when they were younger.

Tips & Warnings

• Never Criticize yourself in front of your preteen
• Don't take over if your girl is failing at something, help only if she asks.
• Don't fail to listen to your preteen.

[63miranda]

on 3/2/2009 This is so true! Great job! 5*