Parents always make considerable efforts to raise kids with healthy self-esteem, but what about humility? How can you foster your children’s self-confidence without encouraging attitudes of entitlement and arrogance? And with the society we live in today, is cultivating humility even on most parents’ radars?

Here are the most important elements that will help build the confidence of your kids and cultivate humbleness in them as they grow.

1. Self-Control

When your child often gets into fight or you experience tantrums with him during inappropriate times, it could be a sign of lack of self-control. While these behaviours occur less as he gets older, you can still do something to develop his self-control while he’s still young.

One way is to let your child struggle a little with difficult things, so they learn to be patient and to problem-solve. Another is to provide an opportunity for your children to help others, so they learn to set aside their wants for the needs of others. Likewise, tips such as taking deep breaths and counting to ten also helps curb violent expression and aggressiveness in case of trouble.

2. Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is not just about confidence; it’s about knowing your self-worth. When your child is confident of who he is as a person, he won’t have to worry about what other people thinks about him. He’s generally happy, does well in school and doesn’t get influenced easily by his peers.

To promote self-esteem in your child, trust his judgments and let him make his own decisions. You may be afraid for your child to make mistakes, but that’s how he’ll learn to make good choices next time.

3. Positive Values

We always try our best to teach our kids what’s right and wrong and instil in them positive values like kindness, resilience and integrity while they are still young. This will likely stay in them as they grow older since it has been part of their practices and norm. It’s a process that needs to start in childhood, so they’ll have enough time to internalise and practice these traits.

To help your kids, first you have to be a good role model. Actions speak louder than words, so make sure to show him the positive values instead of just telling him what it is. Be consistent with your decisions and actions, and you’re child will surely follow suit.

4. Empathy

This is the capability of your child to put himself in the shoes of another person, thus having a clear understanding of the other person’s feelings. Your kid shows empathy when he volunteers for charity work, share his things with his siblings and help his friends out.

Cultivate the value of empathy to your child by teaching him how to caring and helpful. Provide opportunities for him to help less fortunate children, explain how bad behaviour can make other people feel and let him watch educational films where characters are engaged in good and bad actions and talk about it afterwards.

Raising confident yet humble children is challenging, but it’s not impossible with the right awareness and lots and lots of patience.