How can I help if my child has low self-esteem?

Everyone has times when they feel good about themselves, and times when they feel less good. Self-esteem plays an important part in being able to see ourselves in a positive light, more of the time.

If your child seems to feel less good about themselves, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong as a parent. The important thing to remember is that you can support them to feel more positive.

• Spending time together is a simple way to remind your child you love and value them as they are. It can be as simple as playing games or watching TV.
• See if they’re happy to tell you how things are going in their lives. You may have noticed them saying negative things about themselves. Ask why they feel that way.
• How we think affects how we feel. Get them to try spotting their negative thoughts and challenging if these are true.

Helping your child build positive self-esteem may take a little time. Be gentle, but keep supporting them.