Parent Resource Center
Teens who feel good about themselves are more likely to handle peer pressure successfully and say "no" to smoking.
To build healthy self-esteem, help your child discover and develop her strengths. Whether she's good at sports, music, training the family dog or organizing neighborhood games, tell her so and give her more opportunities to use her talents. If he is skilled with computers, ask him to help you with projects.
Sometimes parents spend too much time and energy telling a child what he does wrong. Make a point to talk more often about what he does well.
Display artwork, photos, certificates and other mementos. Share her success stories with relatives and friends.
Help your child see mistakes as opportunities to improve, not as failures. Talk about the things you've learned from your own mistakes.
