| The teen years are the most challenging times | | | | words, they know when they're being |
| for any parents. One intricate aspect of | | | | patronized and don't like it. So make sure |
| managing teenagers involve building up their | | | | your positive comments are realistic. And |
| self esteem. One day they're feeling like the | | | | don't expect them to acknowledge your |
| scum of the earth and the next day they're | | | | comments or that they're having an affect. |
| going to be the next president of the United | | | | Just continue to offer positive comments on |
| States. These self esteem ups and downs are | | | | their behavior whenever possible. Teens will |
| normal, as teens react dramatically to most | | | | listen, they just won't let you know they're |
| everything. | | | | listening. |
| | | | |
| Causes of Low Self Esteem | | | | Enaging Them |
| | | | |
| What might seem insignificant to us adults | | | | Give them many chances to have new |
| are the very thing that cause their self | | | | experiences and to encourage them to take |
| esteem to take a dive. This could be due to | | | | part in activities they've shown an interest |
| 'trivial' things like acne, break ups with | | | | in or have a track record of success in. |
| significant others, and even unintentional | | | | Keeping teens busy in activities that give |
| comments made by adults whom they look up to. | | | | them a lot of opportunities for positive |
| While a dip is nothing to worry about when | | | | reinforcement will get their self esteem up |
| it comes to a teenager's self esteem, a low | | | | and keep it up. |
| dip in their self esteem that doesn't bounce | | | | |
| back up within a reasonable period of time is | | | | Conclusion |
| cause for concern. | | | | |
| | | | The teen years are ones that will affect a |
| Positive Words | | | | person's self confidence for years to come, |
| | | | so whatever you do, the best thing you can do |
| One thing you can do if you think your teen | | | | for them today is to invest your time in |
| is suffering from low self esteem is to give | | | | them. Talk to them, spend plenty of time |
| them as much positive feedback as possible. | | | | together with them. Statistics have shown |
| Teens are highly suspicious of most any adult | | | | that children who grew spending tons of time |
| and will disregard anything an adult says | | | | with parents tend to become more successful |
| that seems "over the top" to them. In other | | | | in life! |