Helping teens feel good about themselves can be a challenge at times, but these ten suggestions can get you started:
- Make a habit of hugging your teens and telling them you love them every day.
- Plan and prepare healthful meals with your teenagers as often as you can, and eat the meals together as a family.
- Play the game High-Low. When the family is gathered together, perhaps at dinner, have everyone share the best part (the high point) and the worst part (the low point) of their day. Encourage everyone to practice active listening by paying attention, looking at the person who’s talking, and asking questions.
- Show interest in what your teens learn in school. Ask them at least one question every day about one of their classes. Follow up on school issues of concern to your kids—or you.
- Focus on success. Every day, mention one of your teenagers’ successes (for example, wake up happy, earn a good grade on an assignment, feed the dog without being asked). Take this suggestion one step further by keeping a written list of successes to post in their bedrooms. Add to the list weekly or monthly.
- Plan a day without television and computers in which you focus on family home activities. Play board games or card games. Read books together. Look at family photos. Play music, listen to it, dance to it.
- Make a list—or if you’re feeling creative a poem or song—of all the reasons your teens are special. Then post the list for everyone to admire.
- Designate a special time or day to spend with each of your teens. Let him or her choose how you will spend your time together.
- Tell your teens you are proud of them. Think of different ways to praise your children each day. Be sincere!
- Slip notes of encouragement in your teenagers’ lunch sacks, pockets, or under their pillows.