The greatest gift we can give our children is to teach them to love themselves. Kids grow up quickly; the window of time to help them become a self-assured, confident individuals is small.
Growing up I often felt excluded. I wasn't a member of a country club, didn't wear the right clothes or listen to the right music. I felt like I wasn't good enough. That's why it's my mission to help kids feel loved and valued for who they are by painting a portrait that truly captures their personality.
How do you teach your kids to value themselves and have confidence in who they truly are? Here are three things you can do on a daily basis to help your child with his or her self-confidence:
1. Be an example of self-love, especially when you mess up.
We all make mistakes, but if your child sees you constantly beating yourself up then he or she will feel like a big ole' failure too when they mess up. Take time out of life to celebrate your own milestones and the things you've achieved. Help your kids know it's great to set a goal and work hard to attain it. When they don't succeed, it's important to teach them how to use that failure as a learning experience rather than something to obsess about.
2. Give them chores.
One the best things my parents did was teach me responsibility. From a young age I had household chores and when I got a car I worked after school. At the time it seemed like a lot, but I realize now it taught me to be independent and self-sufficient.
Chores teach children they are part of a household, and as such they need to care for others. Tasks such as tidying your room can be practiced at a young age. Children will also learn how to take responsibility for their belongings and appreciate them more.
3. Love your child. It sounds obvious, but kids want to know how much you love and care for them, just as they are. Mr. Rogers says, "knowing we can be loved exactly as we are gives all the opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people." Your unconditional love gives them a great foundation for self-confidence.
If you're a parent, how do you instill confidence in your child? How do you let them know they're loved for who they are?
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