Is your teen lacking in confidence? Don’t worry parents—we’ve got you covered!
During this article we will give you the tools to help your teen be more confident.
The lack of self-confidence is fairly common among youths in Singapore, and local teens have admitted that they don’t have the confidence to try new things, or to lead others. A national youth survey has also found that our young people are worried about the future, and the challenges that they will face as adults.
In a nutshell, self-confidence is how much we trust ourselves to thrive in this world. Being self-confident benefits anyone, but more so for teenagers as they prepare for adulthood.
A self-confident teen embraces new challenges and opportunities, has better coping and problem-solving skills, and is more motivated and independent. On the flipside, a teen who lacks confidence is often afraid to step out of comfort zones, due to a fear of failure or a lack of resilience.
Typically, teens experience a dip in self-confidence during early teenhood (ages 9 to 13), and before entering adulthood—for Singaporean teens, this could be during the polytechnic, National Service, or university years. These are periods where teens desire to function more independently and on their own terms.
However, when changes in their lives happen faster than they can keep up with them, teens may feel increasingly uncertain, insecure, and anxious. No teen is immune to these feelings, even those who were previously self-assured as children.
The good news? Confidence is not a fixed trait—you might even think of it as an ‘ability,’ which can be acquired or improved over time.
A self-confident teenager feels happier and more fulfilled, and is better equipped to traverse the ups and downs of life. We know that parents are eager to support their teens—here are some ways to build your teenager’s confidence at home:
Teenagers thrive on affirmation, so regularly offering them encouragement and positive feedback will make a difference. Rather than giving your teens effusive praise, or reserving your compliments only for positive outcomes, focus on commending your teen’s actions and efforts as he or she works towards goals.
Encourage your teen to explore interests that draw on their strengths. As your teen’s competence grows, their self-confidence will follow.
Did you know that self-esteem is not quite the same thing as self-confidence?
Self-confidence is about our perceived ability to succeed in the world, whereas self-esteem is linked to how we value ourselves—what we think of our own talents, our bodies, and our personalities. Someone with low self-esteem might have less confidence to face the world, and vice versa.
By talking to your teen about issues like body image and personal insecurities, you can come up with healthy ways to define one’s self-worth, based on your family’s values, helping them be more confident.
Teens want to have their voices heard, make independent choices, and have their share of responsibilities—there’s no better place for this than within the family.
Listen to their views, treat their opinions with respect, and involve them in decision-making and problem-solving to bolster their self-confidence.
Contact us and help your teen be more confident with our confidence bootcamp!
Another way for teens to increase their self-confidence is through activities that encourage good habits and a positive way of living.
Here are some activities that can help to instill confidence in your teen:
A healthy mind and body builds a solid foundation for your teen’s overall well-being. In Singapore, teens are notorious for being sleep- and exercise-deprived. Couple this with being glued to screens, and it’s little wonder that many teens do not feel their best.
Make lifestyle adjustments to ensure that your teen gets sufficient sleep and exercise, and plan healthier meals together. These simple self-care practices will help your teen to think, feel, and look better—all of which will favourably impact your teen’s overall self-confidence.
Have you heard that “effort is the engine that makes self-confidence run?” In other words, any act involving effort, such as trying a new activity, can set off a chain reaction that ultimately results in a confidence boost.
If your teen is resistant to the idea of attempting a new activity independently, suggest activities that you can do together, such as taking art or cooking classes, or going hiking.
Another activity that you could encourage your teen to embark on is volunteering. Studies have shown that acts of kindness and other altruistic behaviours could help teenagers to feel better about themselves.
Teens gain confidence by realising that they have the power to support others, and being more socially connected can also help to keep mental health issues—such as loneliness and depression—at bay.
Still unable to boost the confidence of your teen? Why not hire a life coach?
It may benefit your teenager to talk to a professional life coach about his or her confidence issues. A teen coach can help your adolescent to identify specific areas for building confidence, and devise a goal-oriented strategy for making improvements.
Increasingly, teens are turning to life coaches to help enhance various aspects of their personal well-being, so this is definitely an option worth considering.
Want to find out how a life coach can help your teen be more confident? Book a free discovery call with us today!
