Author: Chad Folton

Many parents focus on their children’s education and careers as their primary concern.  Although these are important factors in kids’ lives, so is their self-worth.  The more confidence that children have, the more likely they are to have healthy relationships throughout their lives and succeed in their ambitions.  Insecurities can hold them back in all areas and even lead to getting into trouble with the law.

Here are some of the best ways to set your children up for success by helping them feel confident.

Be a Great Example

Remember, kids are tiny sponges.  If you want your children to be a certain way, the best way to ensure it happens is to be that way yourself.  Show your children how to be confident in their own day-to-day actions.  If you struggle with confidence, then try faking it!

Setting a great example helps your kids model their own behaviors off your own.  Focus on the positive, recognize your talents, and tackle life’s challenges in stride.  They’re watching.

Focus on Their Strengths

An old-fashioned way of parenting is focusing on everything your child is doing wrong rather than right.  Although recognizing areas that you could grow in can be helpful, their downfalls aren’t the only thing you should focus on.

Recognize where they excel and encourage them to do more of what they are good at. Encourage them to keep trying even if they have room for improvement.

Encourage Failure

One of the biggest reasons why people struggle with insecurity is because they feel that failure isn’t acceptable.  The truth is that failure can often be one of your greatest tools in becoming the best version of yourself.  Encourage your kids to fail and explain that trial and error is the best way to get ahead in life.

People who are too afraid to fail take fewer risks in life.  Kids should know that failure doesn’t mean the end of everything but rather an opportunity to dust ourselves off and try again.

Words of Praise

People of all ages benefit from words of praise and encouragement.  Tell your child regularly that you love and appreciate them.  Praise is one of the best things that you can do to remind them that they’re worthy.

Encourage Goal Setting

Goals are one of the most helpful things that you can do to help your children achieve what they want in life.  Help your child develop a list of things they’d like to achieve and remind them to take note of how much progress they’re making.  

Checking in with your progress and measuring your success is a critical part of achieving your goals.  You’ll be doing them a world of good by preparing them for turning dreams into actions.

A lot of people know that they should make education a priority if they hope to earn more income. However, education is more than just a ticket to a better career. A good education is a tool that can completely shift the purpose of your life. Don’t be one of those people who look back in their old age, and regret not getting an education. 

Take a look at some of the reasons that a good education is critical. 

It Gives You Purpose 

When you set out to educate yourself, you’re giving your life a sense of focus. Thinking about what you want and going after it is one of the greatest things you can do in life. Getting up every day and having somewhere to go and something to pursue gives you extra confidence and focus. What better goal can you have than to achieve something fantastic and create a better life for yourself through the power of education? 

Brings Happiness 

Although school requires a considerable amount of work, there’s also a lot of joy associated with it, from camaraderie to a sense of pride in your achievements. School can be associated with plenty of positive feelings. People who sit at home and do nothing are much less likely to feel as happy as those who are putting in a daily effort in their studies. Above all, there’s nothing like that boost of pride when you graduate, and all your hard work pays off. 

Balance 

A lot of young people who don’t have a purpose in life may find themselves giving in to unhealthy habits. Whether it’s drinking or being a procrastinator, there are all sorts of unhealthy patterns you can fall into. However, when you work hard in school, you’ll find, but you have a greater balance in life. When you have something that you’re working towards, you’re less likely to give in to unhealthy temptations. Education instills self-control and discipline. 

Confidence 

With the right knowledge under your belt, you will and should be proud of yourself. Seeing yourself as someone with a larger perspective on the world should give you a sense of great pride. Year after year, as you continue your studies, you’ll start to become more and more self-assured. Over time, you’ll transform into the best possible version of yourself that will carry onto all areas of your life. 

More Connections 

One of the best parts of education is getting an education with other people. Some of the best friendships you’ll ever make in your life are made in a classroom. By attending a class, you’ll give yourself the opportunity to meet people that you may not have otherwise been able to meet. As the years go by, they may serve as important parts of your network that further your career and dreams.