James Donaldson on Mental Health - 12 Tips for Raising Confident Kids

How do I help my child build healthy self-esteem?

Set goals Articulating goals, large and small, and achieving them makes kids feel strong.

Help your child turn desires and dreams into actionable goals by encouraging them to make a list of things they’d like to accomplish.

Then, practice breaking down longer-term goals into realistic benchmarks.

You’ll be validating their interests and helping them learn the skills they’ll need to attain their goals throughout life.

Celebrate effort Praising kids for their accomplishments is great, but it’s also important to let them know you’re proud of their efforts regardless of the outcome.

It takes hard work to develop new skills, and results aren’t always immediate.

Let kids know you value the work they’re doing, whether they’re toddlers building with blocks or teenagers teaching themselves to play the guitar.

Expect them to pitch in They might complain, but kids feel more connected and valued when they’re counted on to do age-appropriate jobs, from picking up toys to doing dishes to picking up younger siblings from a play date.

Homework and after-school activities are great, but being needed by your family is invaluable.