Understanding Teenage Self-Esteem

Teenage self-esteem can be a complex issue in itself and with the age factor alone, a teenager lacks the necessary life skills and experiences necessary to deal with the world’s sometimes harsh realities. 

 

The social circles that teens thrive, or falter in will play a significant role in their development. An impressionable teenager’s outlook on life will often be based on perceptions driven more by pop culture than real world experience meaning that teenage self-esteem can often be boosted by the wrong influences. 

 

So, what can you do to get through to your teen and help to build up their self-esteem?

 

Even though it’s obvious, never assume your teenager knows just how much you love them. Daily expressions are encouraged to hit home this point. Let them know they are loved, that they are capable of achieving anything and that you appreciate and value them. Never put off saying it because you assume they already know. One extra “I love you”, won’t cost you anything but can really set the stage for your teenagers’ day.

 

Be aware of your actions and change your home’s environment. Your teenagers need to know they are safe and secure and this is why you should always strive to create a peaceful home for them to live and flourish in. Be aware of your actions in front of your teenagers, they are very perceptive and sensitive and know when something’s wrong.

 

It’s difficult to bolster teenage self-esteem in a home when conflicts are taking place around them. What happens within the home echoes outside of it in the form of anxiety, nerves and expressions of anger. They tend to internalize these conflicts and often end up carrying the blame and guilt well into their adult years.

 

If an argument ensues, take it to another room or pick a more appropriate time, then ensure that your teenager sees the resolution. Life isn’t always rose colored or perfect but if they can see that positive outcomes can arise from conflict then it’s arming them with life skills for the future. You give them an alternative to handling their own resolutions rather than with anger or violence.

 

At the core of teenage self-esteem is the need for positive reinforcement which encourages them to excel, to do better and to reach their potential. Spend more time accentuating the positive things they do rather than to nitpick at the negatives because your teenager, although you can’t see it with the naked eye takes it more to heart than you realize. So, resist the temptation to berate your teenager, it will shake their confidence. Always think of the impact your words will have on their future, because it will.

 

So, there you have it, a few great tips to help build teenage self-esteem. 

 

If you would like to help strengthen your own self-esteem or that of your teenagers, you can grab your free report now showing you how.