"I can't do it!"
Those four words make me cringe every time I hear my 5-year-old daughter say them. I don't want my daughter to ever think she can't do something. I want her to believe she can do anything.
What can parents do to build up a girl's sense of self, while curbing her feelings of self-doubt, no matter what her age? Help her develop the qualities of a strong, independent young woman. Raise her to be a girl who believes in herself and in her abilities, who takes pride in her grit, accepts all the challenges she's faced with and takes on new tasks without batting an eyelash.
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Here are some key qualities for raising a girl with confidence.
Curiosity
Raise your daughter to never be afraid to ask questions about the world around her or about herself.
Encourage Her to Pursue a Passion
Finding an activity she loves will give her the opportunity to master challenges, which will boost her self-esteem.
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Resilience
Let her learn how to bounce back from anything.
Get Her Outside
Let her get dirty tree climbing, bug collecting and camping.
Let Her Have a Voice
From picking out her own clothes to choosing which sports she wants to play, having a say in what she tries will give her confidence in knowing what she likes and what she doesn't.
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Get Her Outside Her Comfort Zone
Have her realize that no matter the outcome, she can survive and has the strength to face any challenge. That's where the magic happens, after all.
Encourage Her to Play Sports
When a girl is involved in sports, she learns to appreciate her body for its strength and what it can do rather than just its beauty.
Get Involved in Her School
Show your daughter academics are important by volunteering at her school, checking her homework or attending school events.
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Be a Positive Role Model
Let her see that you love your body. Never put down your body or looks in front of her. Embrace your flaws and flaunt your strengths.
Be her Biggest Fan
Always tell her you believe in her.
Find activities for your ACTIVEkids.
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