Learning that your child may dislike certain aspects of themselves can be hard for any parent or carer to hear. However, the good news is that there are lots of things you can do to help them grow a healthier, more positive sense of self. Showing your child lots of love and affection is a great way to do this, as well as giving them praise for their successes and reassuring them when they make mistakes. It can also be helpful to encourage them to think about three good things that went well for them each day, and getting them to express themselves creatively (painting, drawing, sculpting etc.) when they feel frustrated or upset. You might want to try taking on new and interesting tasks together to help boost their confidence. You could learn to cook a new meal together, take up a sport, help them re-organise their room or learn a new skill.
If you are worried that your child’s self-esteem is having a significantly negative impact on their day to day life, we would recommend you reach out to a professional (Teacher, GP, School Nurse, Youth Worker, Social Worker) for further advice and help.
If you’d like to find out more ways to help improve your child’s self-esteem you can find some helpful websites below.