- Dove
- Baby Dove
- Men+Care
- Dove Self-Esteem Project
Hello, what are you looking for?
Advice for mums and dads on how to build self-esteem
Do you want to help prepare your child to overcome low self-esteem and increase body confidence during adolescence? Use our articles and activities to help them feel self-assured inside and out.
The foundation of positive body confidence is taking good care of your body and respecting yourself. It's important to notice the impact that the physical and emotional changes of puberty may be having on your child's self-esteem and self-image.
Our articles explore the research linking body confidence with positive health behaviours. And our activities will help you and your child take care of body, mind and spirit during what can be a confusing time.
Start reading and sharing with your child today – and help their body confidence blossom.
-
![]()
One of the best ways for young people to grow into confident, healthy young adults who can achieve their goals is knowing their own potential and limits. And who better to help than the people who know them best?
-
![Body confidence and puperty]()
positive talk
talking topics
body image
looks and appearance
behaviour change
puberty
health and wellbeing
parent
11 to 16 years
What is puberty? Help your daughter understand how and why her body's changingNeed help guiding your daughter through the physical and emotional stages of puberty? Use our action checklist and tips to help her grow up with confidence.From buying a first bra to starting her period, your daughter probably has hundreds of questions about puberty. Use our action checklist for open, honest, blush-free conversations about her changing body.
-
positive talk
talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
body image
looks and appearance
psychology
behaviour change
exercise and sport
health and wellbeing
parent
11 to 16 years
Show your child the benefits of exerciseAs well as boosting teen fitness, exercise is great for teen mental health, self-confidence and body image. Use our advice and tips to get your child movingThe benefits of exercise go far beyond the physical. Discover the scientific facts about the positive link between exercise and body image, and give your child the exercise bug, with our action checklist.
-
talking topics
body image
looks and appearance
behaviour change
puberty
health and wellbeing
parent
11 to 16 years
Mood swings: how to handle emotional changes during pubertyNoticing signs of puberty in your daughter? Use our expert advice and action checklist to help you and your girl deal with puberty symptoms such as mood swings.Once upon a time you had a carefree little girl who told you (and her teddy) everything. Now she’s going through puberty, you may notice some changes, so we’ve created an action checklist to help you and your daughter navigate them.
-
talking topics
body image
looks and appearance
behaviour change
food and nutrition
health and wellbeing
parent
8 to 16 years
Healthy eating for teenagers: encouraging young people to enjoy a balanced dietWorried about your child's eating habits and attitude to food? Our expert advice and tips on teen diet will help you meet the nutritional needs of a teenager.Your own attitude to food can help your child understand that the best diet is a balanced diet. Use our teen diet action checklist to help your child enjoy their food, and break bad diet habits.
-
family
parenting
positive talk
talking topics
generation gap
body image
psychology
food and nutrition
teaching
parent
11 to 16 years
How to talk to young people in a language they understandWe all know the importance of communication, but talking to teenagers often leads to misunderstandings and raised voices. Use our teen talk tips to help you.Ever feel like you’re talking to your child in a different language? Then try using our action checklist – it might not teach you to be fluent in ‘teenager’, but it will definitely help you speak a language you can both understand.
-
![Building self-confidence]()
positive talk
talking topics
female stereotypes
body image
looks and appearance
psychology
behaviour change
health and wellbeing
parent
8 to 16 years
How to build confidence and self-esteemLearn how to build self-esteem and confidence – and help your child learn to love their body in the process – with our practical tips and activities.If you suffer from low confidence and self-esteem, your negativity could have a knock-on effect on your child. Use our action checklist to cut out self-criticism – and give your child’s body confidence a boost, too.
-
talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
body image
looks and appearance
self-esteem
psychology
health and wellbeing
parent
8 to 14 years
The Real Me: activities to celebrate your child's inner beautyHelp your child embrace their inner beauty and build their self-esteem with The Real Me, our confidence-boosting video and activity.Isn't it wonderful when your child feels confident and happy and can find the words to express it? Use our confidence building activities to help them vocalise what they love about being 'me'.
-
positive talk
talking topics
body image
looks and appearance
self-esteem
psychology
health and wellbeing
national curriculum
real health
real diversity
real education
be real
free being me
8 to 16 years
Be Real: the campaign for body confidenceThe Dove Self-Esteem Project & Be Real Campaign support parents & teachers to increase self worth in teens & young women, helping them feel more body confidentAt Dove, we're committed to making beauty a source of confidence, not anxiety. That’s why we're a founding partner of the Be Real Campaign – a national movement formed in response to the Reflections on Body Image report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Body Image. Together, we are campaigning to change attitudes to body image, put health above appearance, and help all of us be confident in our bodies.
