How to help a teenager with low self-esteem

La adolescence is a complicated stage, of important physical and psychological changes that affect the self-esteem of boys and girls. It is the step from being a child to being a teenager before becoming an adult. From being the center of his life his parents and his family to being his friends. It is important thate parents know how to help a teenager with low self-esteem to support you during this tough stage of development.

How to help a teenager with low self-esteem

Parents unconsciously, we can strengthen or weaken the self-esteem of our children. Learning to improve your self-esteem is in our hands. We leave you some practical advice for adolescents with low self-esteem.

Good communication

Adolescence is a turning point in the relationship with parents. There may be a distancing if the sincere and reciprocal communication. We must listen to adolescents without judgment, with an open mind and have the patience to tell them when they are ready. Let him know that you are there for when he needs you. It will be the only way for your child to trust you to tell you about his problems and you can help him.

If you judge him, criticize him and continually blame him for not telling you things will not improve the situation. The only thing you will achieve is that the distance is greater.

Good limits

At this stage they surely want to negotiate the limits and rules they had to make them broader. You must negotiate according to each boy / a, his personality, his responsibility ... the limits to be met.

Teenagers too need rules to feel safe and responsible, although they will always try to break them. Limits are very important for good self-esteem. It is important that both parents agree on the rules to follow at home so that there are no discrepancies.

Praise him

We usually focus on what they do wrong. If they get a 10 in drawing and a 4 in math, we will focus on how poorly they do math. We should also praise the things they do well, as in this case drawing would be. Celebrate their effort and dedication, even if the result was not what was expected. They should be sincere and realistic praise, without being over the top.

Instead of focusing on the negative, support them so that they do not learn a negative concept of failure. If they continually tell them that they are worthless or that they are doing everything wrong, they will obviously end up believing it.

Encourage your passion

All teenagers have something they are passionate about and are good at. In the example above it would be the drawing. To boost your self-esteem we can promote you to perform tasks that are related to your passion. You will feel empowered, happy, and accepted. Your confidence and security will grow, as will your self-esteem.

Listen to their opinion

Teens have a lot to say and need to feel included in family decisions. Make him feel that his decision is important and will be taken into account. You will feel respected and treated like an adult.

Support their hobbies

Support their hobbies no matter how crazy they are, as long as it doesn't interfere with their responsibilities. Adolescents are looking for their identity and exploring its facets in order to develop as a person. That they feel supported by you is very important to them. They need to feel valued, don't forget that they have just been children even if they don't seem like it.

Spend time with them

Although their center is no longer their parents, if not their friends, adolescents also they need to spend quality time with their parents. Doing something that you like together can strengthen your relationship, improve communication, and ultimately improve your self-esteem. The time, even if it is little, must be of quality.

Encourage exercise

Exercise helps us release endorphins and serotonins that help us with our emotional well-being. Helps improve self-esteem, especially in group sports, in addition to improving their social relationships.

Because remember… good self-esteem is the foundation for your emotional health.