How to Improve Self-Esteem in Adolescence

Adolescence is a complicated phase for every human being. It is a time of discovery, confusion, and a true bodily transition, which can cause many problems and also psychological confusion, especially if parents and guardians do not know how to deal with the situation. Is there any way or how to improve self-esteem in adolescence and manage to get through this stage so full of emotions?

Some teens end up rebelling at this stage, some handle this new life easily, while others withdraw into their own world, becoming more isolated each day and getting stuck in their own internal confusion. And even though it is difficult to deal with certain situations and drama at this age, yes, it is possible to help them face this new stage and help make it a smoother time, so their self-esteem in adolescence is not shaken. In this period when hormones are swirling, the body starts changing overnight, pimples start appearing, and the voice starts to deepen. Girls begin to leave their children’s bodies behind and start developing curves, with the sensation that everyone is looking and commenting.

Tips to Help a Teenager and Their Self-Esteem

Who said being a mother or father is easy? And who said they are only hard work as babies or when they start walking, touching everything and throwing tantrums? Children give us work our whole lives and love in the same proportion, and as they grow, they require even more care, especially emotionally, leaving us pulling our hair out at times.

• Don’t criticize – This is a difficult task, but extremely important since teenagers are very sensitive. Children do not always share the same tastes as parents and vice versa, whether in the way they dress, their haircut, or even what they eat. Criticizing what they like to do will not make them stop but will make them feel even more underappreciated. If their own parents criticize them, imagine what the world says about them.

•  Praise – Try to always praise your child’s actions by congratulating them for fulfilling their responsibilities or for accomplishing what they set out to do. This serves as daily motivation to develop good self-esteem and makes teenagers even more eager to “get it right” more often and do their best.

•  Encourage – It is very difficult for teenagers to express themselves, especially with their parents. The encouragement and support that parents can give their children, even to defend their own ideals or pursue what they want, no matter how trivial it may seem to you.

•  Do not underestimate them – Never underestimate a teen; they have their own way of expressing, speaking, and acting, and are capable of doing everything they want, much more than parents imagine. Learning to listen to them is very important to understand what they expect, want, are experiencing, and are seeking for their future.

• Don’t compare them to others- Never, under any circumstances, compare them with another teenager’s behavior or actions. The way they are should be respected and valued just as they act and do things. Show your child how special they are for the things they do well. Nothing is worse for a teenager’s self-esteem than thinking they are worse than others.

•  Encourage their interests – Encouraging your child to do what they want is a way for them to discover themselves and do what they enjoy. Who knows, maybe they’ll learn a musical instrument or start practicing a sport they admire? With good conversations, you can discover their deepest desires and work and develop those together.

The crucial point to help them in this stage—which we have all gone through and know how tough it is—is to show them how important and special they are. Use as few negative phrases as possible when referring to their attitudes and correcting them. Show that they can be better by valuing their strong points, and help them see that we can’t be 100% at everything, but we can be 100% in whatever we dedicate ourselves to.

Adolescence is a stage just like any other in our lives, but it is longer and more intense. This is when the adults of the future will blossom—future mothers, fathers, and caregivers who will make us proud one day. Keeping this in mind, we can face this stage, which will pass like everything else in life, knowing that for us parents it will go by so quickly and leave us longing for the times we spent with them. With love, affection, and lots of patience, we can overcome this stage of life, which is our responsibility as parents, helping our children in this struggle and making them stronger to face the great battle that is life.