I’ve been trying to boost my kids’ self-esteem by pointing out their strengths, but I’m worried I might be overdoing it. How do you strike that balance between helping them recognize what they’re good at and not turning them into overconfident little monsters? Any tips from parents or teachers who’ve dealt with this?
I’ve found that encouraging my kids to help others works well. When they use their skills to support classmates or siblings, they feel good about their abilities without getting too full of themselves.
We also talk about times when things don’t go perfectly. It helps them see that everyone has ups and downs. They learn to recognize their strengths but also understand there’s always room to grow.
At home, we have a routine where we share one thing we’re proud of and one thing we want to improve. It keeps things balanced and teaches them to look at themselves honestly.
These little habits have helped my kids feel confident without going overboard. They’re more aware of their abilities and limitations.
I’ve been thinking about this too. My 5-year-old is starting to notice what they’re good at, and I want to encourage that without going overboard.
We’ve been trying a little game where we talk about our day at dinner. My kid shares something they did well, and I share something I saw them do well. It’s fun, and they seem to like it.
But I’m curious - how do other parents handle this as kids get older? Do you change your approach? I’d love to hear some long-term strategies that have worked for others.
I remember going through this with my kids. It’s a tricky balance, for sure. One thing that worked well was encouraging them to reflect on their own accomplishments. Instead of always telling them how great they were, I’d ask questions like “What did you do to achieve that?” or “How do you feel about your performance?”
This approach helped them develop a more realistic view of their abilities. They learned to recognize their strengths without relying on constant praise from me. It also taught them to appreciate the effort they put in, not just the end result.
Another helpful strategy was exposing them to a variety of experiences. This gave them chances to discover new strengths and also face challenges. It kept them humble while building confidence in different areas. 
Every kid is different. What worked for mine might not work for yours, but these strategies could be a good starting point.
I’ve found that letting my kid set goals for tasks helps. We talk about what they want to achieve, then break it down into steps. This way, they can see their progress and feel good about their accomplishments without getting a big head.
Sometimes we do a ‘strength of the week’ where we focus on building up one skill. It’s been fun watching them discover new talents and interests. They learn to appreciate their abilities without thinking they’re the best at everything.
I let my kids try different activities. They figure out what they like and what they’re good at.
Sometimes I ask them to rate their own performance. Helps them be realistic about their abilities.