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Building self-esteem
Do you want to boost your child’s self-esteem? Use our practical articles and activities to help your daughter or son develop a positive body image, and worry less about how their looks compare with others.
Young people change enormously during adolescence, and sometimes their self-esteem suffers. As a parent, you want to help your child feel good about themselves, and having positive conversations about appearance is an important part of that.
You need to be tuned in to your child's changing needs, and help them develop an empowered attitude to their looks. You can also raise their confidence by discouraging them from comparing themselves with others, whether friends, classmates or people in the media.
Focusing on who they are as a person, and their relationships with family and friends, will reduce negative body talk. We’ve compiled these articles and activities to help your child make that shift – and to give you some ideas on how to support them.
So start reading and sharing today – and help boost your child's confidence.
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talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
body image
looks and appearance
uniquely me
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'.
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talking topics
social media safety
body image
self comparison
looks and appearance
self-esteem
parent
8 to 14 years
Positive body confidence – how social media can affect body imageWhy do young people love social media? And could their use of it cause body confidence issues? Advice on minimising the negative impacts of social media.In the dazzling world of social media, today’s youth are often living their lives in full view of an online audience. For those from a different generation, the idea of ‘checking in’ online or sharing a selfie to let people know where you are and what you're up to might seem bizarre. But for young people today, getting ‘likes’ on photos, posts or comments in the virtual world can bring a powerful sense of accomplishment and community acceptance.
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positive talk
talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
body image
looks and appearance
uniquely me
self-esteem
psychology
behaviour change
parent
8 to 16 years
Body talk: the power of words for a positive body imageDo you often make negative comments about your weight or appearance? What's the impact on your child? Find out how to fight fat talk and build self-esteem.Talking about our bodies is like an unwritten rule in female friendship – many of us do it constantly and automatically: "I feel fat in these jeans," "I’ve put on so much weight," or "Gosh, my skin looks awful today." Talking about your looks might seem like a way to bond with your child and friends, but it’s worth considering what effect it could have.
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If your child doesn’t fit the ideal of what’s considered ‘cool’, they may feel left out – or think it’s easier to follow their peers. Encouraging a young person to celebrate their individuality can boost self-esteem, confidence, and ultimately, happiness.
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talking topics
female stereotypes
role models
body image
self comparison
looks and appearance
self-esteem
psychology
health and wellbeing
parent
8 to 16 years
Is your child's perception of beauty distorted by media influence?Explore how retouched images of models and celebrities alter perceptions of beauty, and how the media influences your self-esteem, with our tips and activities.Images of people in the media are manipulated so dramatically these days, that it can feel like 'beauty' is less and less attainable. Help your child resist media influence and see the real picture.
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![Uniquely Me resources for parents]()
As a parent, it’s natural to want the best for your child – for them to be happy, healthy and confident individuals.
But that’s sometimes easier said than done, especially during the teen and pre-teen years when their bodies are changing, their self-confidence is fragile and they are trying to make that tricky transition out of childhood.
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positive talk
talking topics
celebrity culture
body image
looks and appearance
self-esteem
psychology
behaviour change
parent
11 to 16 years
How to stop cyberbullying and protect your child from its effectsCyberbullying facts, advice on how to prevent cyberbullying, tips for dealing with cyberbullies for parents.New technology has made it easier for bullies to reach their victims. If you think your child is being affected, use our action checklist for advice on how to support and protect your child from cyberbullying.
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![How to spot bullying]()
peer pressure
bullying at schools
positive talk
talking topics
generation gap
body image
uniquely me
self-esteem
psychology
behaviour change
parent
8 to 14 years
How to spot signs of bullying at schoolConcerned your child is being bullied at school? Follow our practical advice for parents to understand the signs of bullying and what you can to do about it.Worried your child is being bullied and not sure how to tackle it? Use our action checklist to spot the signs of bullying and help beat it.
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Arguably the biggest difference between our own teenage years and those of our children, social media is here to stay. So how do we help our young people use it in a positive way?
