Self-Esteem: A Gift That Lasts A Lifetime

Self-esteem is what drives us towards our goals, dreams and everything we care about. No matter our age, we should never neglect this facet of our personality and rather enrich it everyday. This sense of security stems from our personal accomplishments and others’ perception of us. So, the sooner we instil self-esteem and confidence in our children, the sooner they can build their own, giving them the capacities to achieve their full potential.

First, let’s define what self-esteem is. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, self-esteem is a “good opinion of oneself; high self-regard; confidence in one’s worth or abilities.” One thing to consider here: in order for someone to know their own worth, they must first be able to recognize it. And who better to help a child with this than a parent! Parents have the means to pass this confidence on to their kids, who in turn cultivate it as they grow up.

Encouraging Self-Esteem Development

You can start by creating a steady routine for your child, so as to provide a sense of security. And when your kid asks you questions, tell the truth; this will strengthen your credibility in your child’s eyes. This way, kids develop confidence in their parents and, consequently, in themselves.

What’s more, when parents encourage their children to learn and praise them when they succeed, they contribute to their little ones’ confidence development. Giving children opportunities to feel accomplished helps them improve their self-esteem. To strengthen this confidence, you should keep true to your words, meaning you should honour promises and commitments, and truly feel the emotions expressed towards your kids. You are your children’s role model, so if they trust you, it will positively impact their own self-esteem.

Signs Your Child is Confident

If you take a moment to think about it, you’ll realize that you witness signs of your child’s confidence on a daily basis. The thing is, parents don’t always know that these signs indicate their children are building their self-esteem. Here are a few examples of confidence in children:

• When they say “I want to do it; I can do it myself.”
• When they share their drawings, crafts and discoveries.
• When they persevere, even if a parent offers to help.
• When they seem relaxed while learning.
• But most of all, when they’re able to acknowledge their own accomplishments. Then, you can be certain your child’s confidence is well-established.

Parents guide their children everyday and give them structure to stay on the right track. It’s good to remember that children who know how to develop their confidence and self-esteem will become adults able to reach their goals, achieve their dreams and accomplish everything that’s important to them. And in turn, they will instil this confidence in their own children.

Pascale Fortier, Bachelor of Social Work

Member of Réseau Nanny Secours