The period of a person’s life during the teen years can be especially difficult. It is a period of awkward transition between being a child and an adult and can often lead to feelings of insecurity. Because this is a time in a person’s life where they are trying to figure out who they are and what their identity is it can be very confusing.
In order to guide your teenager through this challenging period, it’s important to give them the tools that they need in order to have full confidence in themselves. Ultimately it’s up to your teen to believe in themselves but it gives them a much bigger chance of blooming into a confident adult if you provide them with the foundation. Here are some of the best ways.
Get Them Involved In An Activity
Getting your teen involved in an activity or something which will activate their mind is one of the best things you can do to keep them out of trouble. Teens who are bored and lacking in stimulation are much more prone to getting into drug experimentation or crime.
Try to choose things which they are enthusiastic about so it doesn’t become something they are forced to do and will learn to dislike over time. You may have to try a few different things to finally figure out the best fit. Maybe introduce them to tabletop board games (check https://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/board-card-games) that can help develop teamwork and soothe their anxiety. Be patient and remember, it may take a minute.
Help Them Identify Their Strengths
Helping your teen find out what it is that they are good at in life is one of the greatest gifts that you can do as a parent. Not only will it increase their confidence but it may also help them on their path of choosing a career.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that even though they may be good at something it doesn’t mean that they necessarily enjoy it. Therefore, don’t force them to do something which they will resent you for.
Compliment Them
Many parents make the mistake of thinking that by pointing out the weakness of their teenagers or things that feel need improvement will help them make the changes necessary in order to be a better version of themselves.
However, all this does is makes them feel less secure about themselves. Therefore, try to balance out your criticisms with compliments and uplifting observations about who they are. This way they will feel better and better about who they are.
Make sure that they are sincere and that you make an effort to do it regularly. This way they will flourish into confident and well equipped young adults with the tools for successful relationships for the rest of their lives.