DONATE Menu ☰

H O M E / / A R T I C L E S / / PA R E N T I N G / / K I D S / / 1 0 WAY S T O R A I S E C O N F I D E N T K I D S

10 Ways to Raise Confident Kids

ALL PRO DAD Kids ! " # $

Probably the greatest sports upset of all time is the Miracle on Ice when the college-aged

United States Olympic hockey team beat the dominant Soviet team in Lake Placid in 1980.

The U.S. team wasn’t even expected to do that well. After scoring in the Inal minute to tie

Sweden in the Irst game, they went on to win the rest. Many of those games would be come

from behind wins. With every game, they gained more and more conIdence. Sometimes the

biggest difference between success and failure is a person’s level of belief. [Tweet This]

ConIdence is a learned trait and must be nurtured. It can be fragile at times. Some of the

greatest achievers on the planet go through bouts of insecurity. That is not such a bad thing.

It usually leads to even greater achievements. Nonetheless, the overall goal is for our kids to

feel secure about who they were created to be. The following is how to build self-conIdence

in your kids.

1. Listen
A simple task it would seem. Amazing how diQcult it can be to just simply listen. Not solve,

not direct and not lecture. Listen. All children will tell you what is on their mind. They only

want someone to hear them. Give your child the patience and time they need from you. It will

do a world of good.

2. Pep Squad
We all need a cheering section. A fan of who we are and what we do. Do that for your kids.

Encouragement is vital in the growth of children. Go to the games, the recitals, and the plays.

Reward good grades. Tap your feet to the instrument they are playing. Let them know how

proud you are of their effort.

3. The Big Picture

Some children have outward abilities that are obvious and easy to recognize. Your son might

be an outstanding soccer player for instance. However, that is not all there is to him. Make

sure you aQrm his other lesser seen qualities as well. Maybe he’s very kind and considerate.

Generous. See the entire picture of what your child is and acknowledge it. You do not want to

raise a one-trick pony.

4. Time is of the Essence

Your kids need you to be involved in their lives. That requires adjustments in your schedule.

Two hours per night seeing you sit on the couch does not qualify as being involved. Teacher

meetings. The occasional visit to the school for lunch. One-on-one time doing whatever.

Make time for each of your children individually as best as you can. It shows them that they

matter to you.

5. Security Breeds Confidence

Papa Bear. That’s you. Cuddly and furry, but ferocious if need be when danger lurks. Children

desperately need to feel secure. Home should be a loving and safe place. It’s your job to

make it so. That seems like common sense, but so many children lack this security in their

life. Parents Ighting. Destructive habits. Drug abuse. A great many things can ruin the

security of your child’s emotions and thusly their conIdence. Stay alert and stay on duty,

Papa Bear. Remember your kids are watching everything you do.

6. Greater Purpose
There is a major difference between conIdence and self-centeredness. Arrogance can also

enter the picture. You do not want to raise little monsters to unleash on the world. There are

enough of those as it is. We have a greater purpose in life by God’s design. We should be

humble yet strong. ConIdent yet gracious. Intelligent yet compassionate. Teach them to see

beyond their own desires and needs.

7. Catch Them When They Fall

Life isn’t always sunshine and lollipops. Downpours and hard times are always sure to come.

They are the moments that test our character and deIne us as human beings. When

disappointment or sadness come knocking for your child, be there to help them understand.

Not necessarily to solve, but for support. They need those times like [owers need rain. Teach

them the perspective needed to absorb these times and move forward.

8. Spokes in The Wheel

As adults, we are aware that we all have different talents and gifts to offer the world. We are

all just spokes in the big wheel. For children, they may not see things so clearly. Your

daughter might not understand why she isn’t a cheerleader and her best friend is. Your son

might have a buddy who excels in math and he struggles. As Mom says, “Variety is the spice

of life.” It would be awfully boring if we were all made the same. Help your children Ind their

own gifts and to appreciate those of others.

9. The Power of Positive Thinking

“Just what makes that little ole’ ant think he’ll move that rubber tree plant?” He had high

hopes so the song goes. When our minds are focused and our spirits high, we can

accomplish miracles. Positive thinking moves mountains as well as rubber tree plants. Allow

your children to dream big and to never give up. Give them a pat on the rump and tell them to

go get ‘em!

10. The Right Crowd

You are not always with your child. In fact, most of the time you aren’t. They are at school and

you are at work. You are mowing the grass and they are over playing with a friend. So,

obviously, other people have a great deal of in[uence on your child. Who these other people

are matters very much. Get to know the important friends in your child’s life. Get to know their

parents. Our circle of friends should be diverse and inspiring. Friends that help lift us up to

greater heights. Friends that push us to be better. The right crowd.

HUDDLE UP QUESTION

Huddle up with your kids and ask, “Is there anything you think you can’t do? Why?”

L E AV E A C O M M E NT

FACEBOOK TWITTER PRINT EMAIL

More Resources

KIDS KIDS

10 Ways to Say “I Am Proud Of You” to Your Why We Should Focus Less On Our Kids’
Kids Achievements

READ MORE » READ MORE »

KIDS

5 Things to Do When Your Kid Isn’t Making

The Grade

READ MORE »

2 Comments All Pro Dad !

1 Login

( Recommend t Tweet f Share Sort by Best

Join the discussion…

LOG IN WITH
OR SIGN UP WITH DISQUS ?

Name

Paul_Sp
− ⚑
3 years ago

Papa Bear? Seriously?!

Lame humor notwithstanding, pretty good ideas, but can't forget the fact that our kids have their own wills and often the struggle can be with those
rather than an "enemy from without."
△ ▽ Reply

James Kunkel
− ⚑
3 years ago

Agree with everything on the list, but I would add perseverance. It is a virtue that needs to be formed one disappointment at a time, but once
established, will pay dividends for the rest of their lives.

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.”
― Abraham Lincoln
△ ▽ Reply

✉ Subscribe d Add Disqus to your site ' Disqus' Privacy Policy

∠ PREVIOUS NEXT ∠
Remembering Rev. Brown 10 Things to Do for a Child Who Has Rejected You

5509 W. Gray Street, Suite 100 QUICK LINKS

Tampa, FL 33609 ) Contributors
) Sponsors
) Book List
(813) 222-8300 ) FAQ

! Facebook ) Contact
" Twitter ) Press Room
' YouTube
( Instagram

* Search...

EMAIL SIGN UP

SUBSCRIBE

© 2018 Family First, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Family First is a 501(c)(3) nonproIt corporation and all gifts are tax deductible as allowed by
law.
TAX ID: 59-3043408 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Design by Design Extensions