4.+Parents

Parents this page is here for you. To provide you with strategies that promote self-esteem in your teen or child. To provide you with resources for further help with nuturing this important part of their wellbeing.


 * 1. Value your Teen: Unconditional love and acceptance of your teen allows for your teen to have a positive outlook on life and life events. Having a positive outlook is important for teens to be able to cope with difficult life situations.


 * 2. Listen to your Teen: This is very important. If you do not listen to what your teen is saying you risk them believeing you do not care or that you are judging them. This will prevent them from coming to you when they need to talk about something important that is happening in their lives that you might actually want to hear about.


 * 3. Set Boundaries and Expectations: By providing your teen with known boundaries and expectations you are letting them know what you will accept and what you will not. Being consistant in setting boundaries and expectations is important for creating an environment where your teen feels safe and comfortable to explore and take some risks. If you are consistent with what you want your teen is more likely to meet your expectations and stay within your boundaries, as long as your boundaries and expectations are reasonable and reachable.


 * 4. Teach Problem-Solving Skills: By teaching your teen how to solve problems in their lives you are helping them create coping skills and promoting positive self-esteem by giving them the power to solve life issues on their own. This also teaches them to be responsible for what they do and not blame others for the results of their own actions.


 * 5. Praise Them: Give praise when praise is due. Let them know when they are doing well and that you approve of them and what they are doing. Teens will never tell you this but they enjoy knowing when they are right or have done something well. Earning their parents approval is important to teens even though they wont always show it.


 * 6. Give them Opportunities to be Successful: Being successful is important for teens self-esteem. Try not to make things too difficult or give them a task you know they are unable to achieve, this will make them feel like failures. Being successful and helping others at home and/or in the community helps the teen feel as if they have something important to give and provides them with a feeling that they belong.