What Parents Can Do to Boost Their Child's Self-Esteem

There is something I think about while raising my children.

It is the idea that self-esteem cultivated in early childhood lasts a lifetime.

Of course, it can be nurtured even after becoming an adult, but I believe that the experience of feeling 'I am a valuable person' when young becomes the foundation of a child's life.

What can I do as a parent?

◾️First, acknowledge their existence

They are not great because they can do something.

They are not amazing because they are good at studying.

Instead, I want to first acknowledge their very existence.

I am grateful just that they are alive and well.

Even on days when my child fails or is in a bad mood, my feeling that 'I am happy just because you are here' remains unchanged.

I think that kind of sense of security is the root of self-esteem.

◾️Help them acquire the ability to think for themselves as much as possible

Parents often want to jump ahead and teach the answer.

But what is truly important is the ability to think for oneself.

'What do you think we should do?'
'What do you want to do?'

I try to make time to think together while asking questions like these.

In the life ahead, parents will not always be by their side.

I believe the ability to think for themselves, choose for themselves, and move forward on their own will be a great asset.

◾️Accumulate small successful experiences

Self-esteem does not rise suddenly.

'I did it!'

It grows through the accumulation of such small successful experiences.

Putting on shoes.

Helping out.

Cleaning up alone.

Even things that seem obvious to adults are big challenges for children.

I want to notice that effort and acknowledge it.

◾️When they fail, think together about what to do next

Sometimes they feel down when they fail.

As a parent, I want to help, and sometimes I even feel like scolding them.

But failure is proof that they tried.

If you do nothing, you won't fail.

That is why, when they fail, instead of blaming them,

'What can we do to make it go well next time?'

I want to think about that together with them.

Because I want them to be children who can take on challenges without fearing failure.



Self-esteem is the power to think 'I am a person of value.'

Perhaps what parents can provide is not a perfect environment, but an environment where they can take on challenges with peace of mind.

Acknowledging their existence.

Nurturing the ability to think for themselves.

Accumulating small successful experiences.

And being there for them even when they fail.

I believe that these small daily accumulations will become a great power that supports the children's future.☺️