We all want our kids to feel confident, don’t we? But building their self-esteem doesn’t always require grand gestures or lengthy talks. Here’s a quick, effective tip to try this week: Give your child small, specific compliments — and I mean specific.
Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” try something like, “I’m really proud of how hard you worked on that puzzle.” This may seem small, but the key here is in the details. Neuroscience tells us that when we’re specific with praise, we reinforce the process over the result. This helps your child understand that it’s their effort, not just their natural abilities, that matters. It activates areas in the brain associated with motivation and persistence - critical tools for building confidence.
What About Your Own Confidence?
Here’s where it gets even more interesting: What about your own confidence as a parent?
Let’s be real: it’s easy to doubt ourselves, especially when parenting gets tough. A simple strategy to boost your own confidence is to take a moment at the end of the day to reflect on one small thing you did well as a parent. Whether it was staying calm during a meltdown or making time for a hug, acknowledging your own efforts builds your inner confidence. This also activates the brain's reward system, which reinforces positive behavior — just like with your child. This helps boost your confidence as well.
The Power of Small, Specific Praise
So this week, try giving your child (and yourself) small, specific praise. You’ll be amazed at how this little habit can boost both your child’s self-esteem and your own confidence as a parent. And the best part? It takes less than a minute.
Share the Love
If you know another parent or caregiver who could use this tip, feel free to share this blog with them! Let’s help each other out by spreading these practical, real-life parenting hacks. And remind them to sign up on our website to receive weekly updates packed with more useful tips to navigate parenting with confidence.
To more confident moments,
Dr. Renea
P.S. For more parenting hacks and tips, follow me on social media HERE and check back each Tuesday for fresh content related to parenting.
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