Ash_Administrator_Ville June 26, 2017
While the mental illness stigma is still very much alive, our society is becoming more and more aware of how different factors affect our mental health, especially at a young age. The factor we’re talking about today is self confidence in girls.
We like to think that we live in a world where young girls and boys are treated equally in and out of the classroom, but we still haven’t reached that reality. There is a frequent struggle with self confidence in girls that can be traced back to what we focus on as parents and the way the world constantly tells our daughters how to look, speak, and behave.
Ways to help build & strengthen self confidence in girls
Though it may not seem like it most of the time, as parents we actually have a huge impact on how our daughters view themselves. We can accidentally undermine self confidence through our words and actions, which is why it’s important to stay aware of ways to foster self confidence in girls.
Show interest in her interests. As a parent, of course we want our children to love the things that we love–but that’s not always the case. You may have loved cheerleading, but your daughter may be more into pursuing art and it’s important to make sure she knows that’s perfectly fine.
Exploring an area of passion expands self confidence in girls and allows them to build a sense of self. If you’re not acting as if that passion is important, then she may feel as if she’s disappointed you in some way.
Be weary of the typical Disney princess. Disney princess movies are fantastic for entertainment, but most of them portray a pretty outdated view of girls. Princesses waiting for their prince to sweep them off their feet so they can live in a huge castle, cook, and clean. You may be thinking, “It’s just a movie, it’s not that big of a deal.” But it is. When a little girl idolizes a character like that, it’s not very healthy.
I’ve witnessed first hand what those Disney princess expectations can do to self confidence in girls and it’s not a pretty sight. Instead of playing Sleeping Beauty, maybe show Brave or Moana–two Disney movies that portray young girls as the hero of their own story.
Be a role model. You may think this is obvious, but you’d be surprised. You need to be a role model not just for good behavior, but for self confidence. If you tend to make low comments about your own weight, your daughter is going to think it’s okay to think that way about her own body. This is exactly what you want to avoid.
Whether you feel confident or not, you need to be a model in front of your daughter so that she can feel confident.
Go outside and explore the limits. One of the best ways to form self confidence in girls is to get them to push themselves, mentally and physically. Getting your daughter to go outside of her comfort zone helps her get comfortable with her body and what it can do.
Believe in her abilities. We all make mistakes as we grow–it’s human to make mistakes. But your daughter needs to know, needs you to tell her, that you believe in her ability to get through challenges. That you know if she makes a mistake, she’ll be able to come out of it with at least a lesson in hand on how to do better next time.
Asheville Academy is here for your family
Asheville Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for girls, ages 10-14. Our students commonly struggle with anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning differences, and other behavioral or emotional challenges.
With the help of our licensed therapists, experienced teachers, caring staff, and expertly designed program, our students move closer to a healthier life. We use the best tactics and therapeutic methods in order to build a healthy self esteem for girls at Asheville Academy.
For more information about how we help with self confidence in girls at Asheville Academy, call 800-264-8709 today.
