Adolescence is a complicated time when bodies change and personalities are formed. Relationships with friends, family and acquaintances are transformed. All these changes occur very quickly and it is difficult to adapt. For this reason, when the first days of school come around, it is important to building confidence in adolescents to strengthen their self-esteem and to help them find their own identity.
Lack of self-esteem can be a problem and during adolescence it is often closely related to physical appearance. Acne or being overweight are some of the aspects that adolescents feel most self-conscious about, along with factors such as shyness or the fear of not being accepted by the group.
How to build confidence in adolescents?
As parents of teenagers, we can feel at a loss when it comes to helping our children build the self-confidence to grow into physically and mentally healthy adults.
Your goal as a parent should be to help your child cope with all the changes of adolescence.We would like to help you with some tips:
Listen to what your child tells you
Sometimes parents don't realise how many times our child has tried to give their opinion on an issue and we haven't listened to them. It is important that you give them the opportunity to speak their mind, to listen actively and to take what they say into account.
Active listening means be attentive to what your child is telling you, ask questions based on what they are telling you and look them in the eye while they are talking to you.
Shows interest in what he likes
In order for your child to find his or her identity, it is necessary to allow yourself to explore and experiment. For example, if he wants to sign up for classes to learn how to compose music, let him have that hobby and see if he really likes it. Don't show reluctance or discourage him.
Help them develop their critical thinking skills
Thinking for oneself and having one's own opinion will help your child not to be influenced by the opinions of others and to gain self-confidence. There is no better way to develop a critical spirit than by encouraging a taste for readingas well as by the cinema, interest in current affairs and learning to listen different opinions with different ways of thinking and doing.
Consider the importance of physical change
You may not remember how you felt when you were a teenager as your body changed. It is a difficult time to cope and the support of the people around you is essential.
Body image is very important for a teenager, so avoid comments about their weight or acne, for example. Criticism should be constructive. In other words, if your child has a lot of pimples on their face, advise them to use a specific product to treat acne.
Work on your patience
You probably remember your mother saying to you when you were a teenager, "What patience you have to have!" and now, in front of your teenage son, you realise that your mother was absolutely right.
Don't forget that your teenager is discovering the worldwho does not yet know himself and does not know what his strengths and weaknesses are. Help him to discover himself, praise all the good things he has and show him where he can improve but, above all, do this with a lot of patience and by showing your support and affection.
Agree on the rules
An adolescent should have rules and limits, but they do not have to be an imposition. You can agree and agree with your child that these rules will be respected and accepted. and are not seen as something imposed.
Challenge him
Many teenagers spend hours and hours in front of the computer playing games, chatting, checking social networks or searching for things on the internet. A good way to approach this situation in a positive way is to challenge your child to create a website or a blog, so that they can learn how to do it and discover their potential by achieving goals.
Create smooth communication
Communication between parents and children can be an essential tool for building confidence in adolescents. To prevent your child from isolating themselves in their room with the door closed, help him to express himself, to share moments with the family and to enjoy those moments..
In short, it is about sharing time with your child, putting yourself in their shoes, understanding them and helping them to trust themselves in a healthy and natural way, and creating a relationship in which communication is fluid between the two of you.
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