5 Ways to Build Your Daughter’s Self-Esteem
Unfortunately, we live in a world that objectifies women. As a result, many girls struggle with low self-esteem. I remember all too well those feelings as a teen becoming a young woman. As moms, there are so many things we can do to help improve our daughters’ self-esteem.
I believe that our true identity is found in Christ, which is absolutely unshakable no matter the circumstance. When we give her that kind of hope and confidence, her own self-image improves. Whether it’s setting a good example or talking to your daughter about the media, there are ways to make her feel better about herself and to gain confidence through truth so she can stand against the lies of society. Childhood self esteem matters! It’s important to find self esteem activities for girls to point them in the right direction.
5 Ways to Build Your Daughter’s Self-Esteem
- Set a Good Example
One of the worst things you can do is talk about your own looks or weight in a negative manner. This sets such a bad example for your daughter. Instead, you want to focus on the things you love about yourself and show your daughter that looks aren’t everything. Do things to boost your own confidence so that your daughter can see that there’s more to life than looks.
These girl confidence quotes can help you get the ball rolling the right direction, too. Use them as ice breakers for conversations and even post them around the house where she will see them often.
A Bible verse to remember:
. . . for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
- Encourage Her to Find Strength in Truth
The world is full of ugliness at a spiritual and moral level. When we prepare our daughters to face these lies with truth, they can be sure of their hope and confidence. One of the things we can do is to fill them with truth from an early age. I remember hearing a story about training bank tellers to recognize counterfeit money. They recognized it not because they studied the fake money so diligently, but because they had so much experience handling the real money. It was easy to spot the counterfeit because they were so familiar with the truth. That’s the way it should be with Biblical truth as well. A Bible verse to remember:
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
- Tell the Truth About the Media
It can be so overwhelming for young girls to see celebrities plastered all over the media. One way to prevent the media from ruining your daughter’s self-esteem is to remind her that the photos don’t tell the whole story. Lots of make-up, surgeries, and doctored photos can mask normal appearances, creating a standard that no one can — or should — live up to. Remind her also that money and fame do not equal happiness, as evidenced by the number of divorces, addictions, and other behavioral outbursts of celebrities. Be aware of the media you allow into your home and use opportunities for discussion to point her back to truth. There’s nothing wrong with dressing up and wearing make-up, but it should not be the source of your identity.
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4
- Ask Her What She Loves About Herself
Sit down with your daughter and create a list together of what you each love about yourselves. This can be a great exercise, especially if you start when she’s young. It can be a fun time of mother-daughter journaling and talking. Tell her to focus on her personality and skills rather than her beauty. Remind her that God created her for a purpose and she is a unique and loved creation. Continue doing this exercise as she grows and anytime she seems to be losing her self-esteem, ask her to pull out one of those lists and read over it. You can even make a list of questions to ask your daughter at bedtime to spark the discussions.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
- Teach Her to Do Things Herself
Last, but not least, take the time to teach your daughter to do things herself. When she’s able to tie here own shoes as a toddler or change a tire as a teenager, she feels empowered. Always look for ways to help her grow and learn new things. These small things can help improve her confidence. Doing something like redecorating her room as she matures can be a boost, too. Let her choose the decorations and patterns that she likes. This can give the confidence to make decisions and express her own style.
Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. 1 Timothy 4:8
It can be hard to be a girl or young woman in today’s society. The good news is you can help improve your daughter’s self-esteem. Whether it’s teaching her to focus on what’s on the inside or to do things herself, she can gain the confidence she deserves when you build a foundation on Biblical truth.
You might also like to read Devotional Time for Teen Girls.
Encouraging Your Children to Pursue their Purpose
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