5 Ways to Give Your Son a Confidence Boost

Unlike girls, boys aren't often encouraged to talk about their feelings. So they keep things inside and never learn how to properly deal with the pain. By being able to express his emotions, your son may find it easier to work through whatever troubles him. It also gives you a better understanding of his mindset, making it easier to help him.

Thanks to the media, boys think six-packs and strength are a man's most important attributes. They're wrong, of course, and it's our job to tell our sons that. Teach your son about the traits that really matter — intelligence, compassion, and goodwill, to name a few — and praise him for embodying them.

By participating in your son's hobbies, you show that you care about the things that are important to him. This makes him feel like he matters, which in turn boosts his self-esteem.

And no, this isn't just so he can earn some extra cash. When a child is given more responsibilities — even something small, like taking out the trash — it shows that the adult is confident in his capabilities. This, of course, makes them more confident in themselves.

Not every boy likes to run through the dirt, play with toy cars, or toss around a football. And your son needs to know that that's OK. In fact, it's great! If he is happy with himself, then it will be much easier to ignore those who try to tease him.