How to Raise A Child with Self Confidence

How you can be assured your child will have a higher self-confidence? Raising children with self-confidence can prove to be one of your greatest challenges. Your guidance in this area is also one of the most important things you'll ever offer your child. Take it from a Mom of teenagers who is also a sibling to a family of 7 children.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Don't make play dates!
   
   This may sound confusing but it is true. I'm not saying don't let your child interact and get along with other children naturally as it will occur in development, I'm saying don't make your child believe he has to be part of the "IN" crowd. When you make play dates based upon who's in and who's out because you want your child to fit in you are teaching your child it matters what other people think of them. Instead, wait for your child to tell you who they like being with - even if it is not the "In Crowd" it is where your child is happy and happy kids are confident kids.

2. Don't force your child to participate in a sport or activities they are not interested in. We all want to see our own child be the star, maybe be a musical phenomena or the high achieving athlete, but if you force your child to be involved in something they are not interested in you are forcing them to rebel and the result can be frightening! It may be difficult but if your child appears happy building Lego Bridges and you want him/her to go outside and play catch instead you will get your way now but in return you are teaching your child what and who they want to be is not who you want them to be.

3. Don't preach and not practice. Kids learn the most from watching others, yes it matters what you do even though they don't lead you on to believe it. If you want your child to be respectful of themselves and have self integrity they need to see how they can obtain results. It is ok to make mistakes we all do but remember to point them out when you make one and do your best to explain what you have learned from your mistakes. When your child makes a mistake and they most undoubtedly will your actions will help your child ease into the forward motion of moving on, otherwise the same mistake will just happen over and over in different ways each time lowering your child's self-confidence.

4. Do continue to pay attention. As your child grows they become independent and sometimes it seems they don't need you anymore. WRONG, I still need my parents and your child is always going to need you. Continue to express interest in what your child is doing, this does not mean asking to join them when they are off to the movies, but it does mean asking your child what movie it will be, or asking who they will be going with. As your child grows you should too, so get out there and find new ways to parent and if all else fails try your best - those who try there best may come in last place sometimes but not as loosers!