Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

07-07-2023

Develop Your Teen's Self-Assurance

The teen years can be ones of enormous self-doubt: Why isn’t my hair right? Why did I wear this stupid outfit? Why don't I know what to do?

You can’t do much about the realities of teenage feelings. But you can help your teen build the self-assurance that will help in tough times and inspire confidence to tackle the challenges in school and out.

Here’s how:

Call attention to the good things your teen does. Mention that your teen is a great writer or the neighborhood’s favorite petsitter. It’s important to be specific.
Help your teen set achievable goals and plan ways to reach them.
Take your teen's emotions seriously. Don’t dismiss feelings by saying, “You shouldn’t feel that way.” Your teen does feel that way.
Listen to your teen's ideas with interest. Say things like, “What a great idea!” Even when you disagree, you might say, “Well, that’s a creative solution, but not one that I think we’re going to be able to try.”
Go to your teen’s events whenever you can. Spending time on the sidelines or in the audience is a great way to show how important your teen is to you.
Demonstrate how much you care. Say over and over that you think your teen is terrific.

Brought to you by:

Cambridge City Schools
Title I Program

[School Success Ideas for Families]