How to Raise Your Teen's Self Esteem

Adolescence can be a difficult time for many teenagers. Because they are pressured by their peers to look and act a certain way, some teenagers develop feelings of inadequacy. As a parent, you may find it heart wrenching watching your teenager suffer from low self-esteem. According to Family Education, self-esteem is not a gift you can give your teenager; it must be built. Actively work with your teenager to develop her self-esteem, so she can grow up to be an independent adult.

Instructions

    • 1

      Treat your teenager like an adult. Sometimes parents do not take their teenagers seriously because they believe they are still children. They may ignore their teenagers' problems, and tell them it's just a stage they are going through. Instead of acting like your teenager's issues do not manner, take the time to listen to him and understand what he is going through.

    • 2

      Model positive behavior. Because your teenager is highly influenced by your behavior, you must watch what you say in front of her. For example, you want to avoid making comments like, "I look so fat in these pants."

    • 3

      Help your teenager feel good about his talents and abilities. For example, if he received a good grade on his math test, tell him how proud you are of him for being so smart. However, do not give him compliments that are not sincere. Your teenager will eventually recognize you are not being truthful, and will not believe you when you actually mean what you say.

    • 4

      Introduce your teenager to new activities. If you think she has an artistic ability, encourage her to take an art class at your local community center. If you believe she has a flare for drama, tell her that she should think about acting in her school's next play. Encouraging your teenager to take part in different activities can allow her to see how truly talented she is.

    • 5

      Tell your teenager that it is okay to be different. Teenagers who dress or act differently from their peers may feel bad about themselves. As a parent, you must let your teenager know that he should celebrate his diversity instead of trying to be like everyone else.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • When do people mature?
      Theres no one-size-fits-all answer to when people mature, as its a complex process influenced by many factors. Heres a breakdown of why its complicated:Maturity is multifaceted:* Physical maturity: This usually happens in your late teens or early twe
    • Agoraphobia in Teenagers
      In many cases, mental illnesses appear during the teen years. Some teens are predisposed to mental health conditions, while others experience them due to a life event. Agoraphobia typically manifests in teens who have panic attacks and is described a
    • Telephone Communication Exercises for Teens
      Unlike your toddler -- who may stick to simple two- or three-word sentences -- your teen has a much more adult-like style of communication. With an upswing in non-verbal telephone types of communication, such as texting, the average female teen ages