5 Ways to Give Your Son a Confidence Boost

Updated on 9/10/2017 at 8:31 AM

When it comes to building a child's confidence, boys and girls are not necessarily created equal. Yes, both genders can suffer from low self-esteem, and they can both benefit from a little extra praise. But because boys tend to be less in touch with their emotions, it may take some subtler methods to raise their self-esteem.

Here are a few ways to help turn your son into a confident young man.

Build His Emotional Vocabulary

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.

Celebrate His Nonphysical Strengths

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.

Do Things He Likes to Do

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.

Get Him a Job

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.

Encourage His Uniqueness

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.