Raise Confident Kids

One thing that I’ve never wanted to see my children struggle with is self-confidence.

That is why it pains me to see them doubt themselves or question their abilities.

I still remember the first time I witnessed real self-doubt. It descended upon my daughter unexpectedly, and I felt helpless trying to stop it.

She was in third grade and learning her multiplication facts. Every day after school, she practiced timed tests on the computer and dissolved into tears as she failed to beat the buzzer.

After a week of discouraging lows, I noticed a tangible change. My once confident girl seemed to shrink before my eyes as she lost faith in her intelligence.

The worst part was hearing her new self-assessment:

“I’m so stupid.”

“I’ll never get this.”

“That’s it. I’m quitting.”

“I’m an idiot. I hate school.”

She’d pegged herself wrong, of course, but nothing I said could convince her otherwise. Even her history as a great student was irrelevant in her mind. This challenge had stumped her, and it messed with…