If you are the parent to a teen, you know how important it is to make sure they are feeling good about themselves. We all remember the days of being a teenager and how hard it was to feel comfortable in our skin. It can be a very complicated, challenging, and draining time.

However, it can also be a very healthy time too. If you handle it correctly, you can boost your teen’s self esteem and help them see themselves as the wonderful, capable, and exciting person they are.

There are many proven ways to help your teen boost self esteem in your teens, but here are just a few that you should always hold onto, especially when times get tough.

Invisalign

A smile is many times the first thing that someone else sees about us – and it is often the thing they remember most too. Therefore, it’s vital that your teen’s smile is as bright and beautiful and healthy as they want. And that is possible through the magic of Invisalign, which can be installed and maintained by trained professionals.

There was a time when child braces in Philadelphia were old-fashioned, traditional, and somewhat boring. But times have changed and now Invisalign can help boost self esteem – and not just in children. While kids orthodontists in Philadelphia do the most work with Invisalign, people of all ages use this one-of-a-kind oral health device.

When using Invisalign, your teen (or child…or even your spouse) will notice much higher self esteem and belief in who they are, what they are worthy of, and what they can accomplish. It’s a great game-changer for people of all ages. You’d be surprised by just how much Invisalign can change someone’s outlook on life. And how can you help your teen get a pair? Simply look up “Orthodontist near me” online and you’ll see the many experts who can help!

Support Their Interests & Encourage Communication

You can help your teenager by discovering the hobbies and interests that resonate most with their particular skills and passions.

No matter if it’s sports, music, art, or something else, uncovering any kind of passion can give them a sense of purpose and deeper accomplishment. Make sure that you acknowledge their hard work and all achievements, even if they are considered minor by many others. In fact, it’s even more important to acknowledge accomplishments when they are looked at as “minor” by other people. 

Always remember that teens must feel acknowledged, sometimes more often than adults.

By encouraging a level of open and accepting communication in your house, you will show your teen that their emotions and ideas are valued and welcomed at all times.

Make sure that you always use open-ended questions while also engaging in active listening without quickly jumping in with your own suggestions or judgment. Just sit there, listen, accept, and only give feedback when asked.

For example, instead of asking them, “How was your school day?” you could instead say, “What was something interesting that occurred at school?” This will help your teen feel more appreciated and understood.

Encourage Friendships

We all know that friends are the people who are there for us, even when no one else is. Because of their loyalty and the value they add to life, you should always be sure you’re encouraging your teen to have friends who will last a lifetime.

The friends of your teenager will influence their self-worth and make life better in a number of ways. They will share common interests, be social together, and learn life lessons at this young and important age. 

To be sure they create lasting friendships during this period, you should urge your teen to develop connections with other young people who are understanding, giving, and have similar beliefs.

However, if you think a harmful friendship might be developing, you should gently help them understand the impact it could have on their life and then talk about certain strategies that will establish clear boundaries and create a safe space for them.

Realistic Expectations

You may believe your teen can conquer the world and do anything – that’s a good belief to have about your child. You want to be sure they know what they are capable of and that you’ll always have their back and support them through thick and thin.

While that is a great way to boost self esteem in your teen, you also need to be cautious about the expectations that you set for them. Remember, it’s important to motivate your teen so they can achieve a high level of success. But imposing incredibly high and unrealistic standards will ultimately be harmful for your son or daughter.

The kind of pressure that comes with these expectations will sometimes result in feelings of being inadequate and not enough. This can create a shame spiral and make your teen feel like they aren’t worth anything. To avoid this, you should work together with your spouse and your teen to create some realistic objectives and goals. At every step of the way, reassure them that it’s more than okay to ask for assistance or take breaks when needed. Above all else, make sure they know that no matter what they achieve – and they will achieve a lot – you will always be rooting for them.

Monitor Your Own Self Esteem

If you want your teen to feel better about who they are, you should look inward and try to uncover any ways that you look at your own shortcomings. Remember that your teenager sees you as a role model. So, the way you treat yourself is the way they will treat To help your teen feel comfortable in their own skin, try to show a level of self-assurance and kindness towards yourself in both your actions and your statements. Whenever possible, stay away from negative self-talk and show how to manage any obstacles with poise and grace, always being kind to yourself and showing that you believe in yourself too. Your teen will take note of that, even if they don’t say it, and it will have a long term impact on how they view themselves, and also how they view you.