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6 Ways to Increase Confidence in Adolescents

6 Ways to Increase Confidence in Adolescents

Having confidence is a key factor in success. Confidence determines how a teen feels about themselves and how they interact with other people. Confidence “sets the stage” for how a teen will view the world and experience life.  Parenting can be stressful and nobody is perfect. If you want to encourage healthy confidence in your teen, read and follow these 6 helpful tips:

1. Create rules, but don’t be a dictator

It’s important that teens have structure in their life. This encourages them to keep schedules and learn boundaries. But – don’t dictate their every move. Teens need to learn to make their own decisions and set their own boundaries as well. Being overly authoritative shuts down independence and confidence!

2. Celebrate them when they try something new

Rewarding your teen with praise for trying something new is the best way to encourage the behavior in the future.  He or she will feel acknowledged and proud for stepping outside of their comfort zone – this is where success happens!

3. Express confidence instead of worry

Telling your teen that you’re worried about them gives him or her more reason to doubt them self. Express confidence and use encouragement instead.

4. Turn mistakes into “teaching” moments

Rather than criticizing or scolding your teen for a mistake, sit down with him or her and discuss what happened. Help them talk through the mistakes and problem-solve for the future.

5. Encourage effort, do not criticize attempts

If your teen is trying a new task or practicing skills, it is more helpful to encourage him or her and point out the good in what they are doing rather than pointing out mistakes. This teaches him or her to focus on positive things or negative things and increases confidence.

6. Do not create exceptions for your child

Create rules, boundaries, and guidelines for your teen. Then, enforce consequences when rules are broken and only reward behavior when necessary. Consequences teach your teen that they are not above established rules and boundaries. Making exceptions for him or her teaches feelings of entitlement and encourages the idea that they don’t have to work hard for what they want and/or that rules don’t apply to them.

onsite_school_based_counselingIf your teenager needs someone to talk to please call the Summit Counseling Center to make an appointment with one of the licensed School-based Therapists located in Alpharetta, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Johns Creek, Milton, and Northview high school at 678-893-5300!