How To Help Your Teenager Develop Self-Confidence

Remember when your teenager was a little child and all you had to do was to give him or her a high five and he or she would be on top of the world? Those were easy days compared to raising a teenager! Of course, it's normal for teenagers to lack self-confidence at times. However, if you feel that your teenager's lack of confidence is creating a problem in his or her life it might be time for you to step in to help. From learning a skill to taking special classes, here are some ideas that might inspire you to strengthen your teenager's self-confidence.   

Learning Something New - Sometimes kids feel inadequate because they feel that they can't live up to things that their friends are accomplishing. For example, perhaps your daughter tried out to be a cheerleader along with her best friend and only her best friend made the squad. That hurts! Maybe your son was the only one of his friends who didn't make the basketball team. That hurts, too! If something like that has happened in your child's life, he or she might feel a lot better if he or she develops a skill that nobody else has. Does your child have an interest in learning how to do woodwork? Perhaps he or she wants to become an excellent seamstress. Find out the skills your child would like to learn and find a way for that dream to be accomplished.

Take Special Classes - Taking classes with other teenagers will open all kinds of doors. One of the benefits of taking classes is that your child will be making new friends that have many of the same interests that your child has. For instance, acting classes for teenagers bring together kids who want to express themselves in a dramatic way. Imagine the fun of learning how to do on the spot improv. And, imagine the pride your child will have when he or she has been able to memorize countless lines in preparing to be in a play with the other kids in his or her acting class. The great part about being in a class is that, besides being with other teenagers, your child will be rubbing shoulders with instructors that have a love of their craft and that have an interest in working with young people. 

One good idea is to write down a list of skills and a list of classes that your teenager might enjoy. If your child is hesitant to try any of the things that are offered, just ask him or her to try it for about six months. Usually, a decision to continue the class or skill will be chosen.   


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