Today's Tip for Families

2026-06-06

Teens Need Practice to Be Confident Adults

Confident people don’t feel they have to be perfect. Their confidence, usually achieved through experience or by example, makes them feel ready to tackle life’s challenges. And they often end up happy and successful.

To help your student develop confidence:

Make it clear who's in charge of your teen's actions. Sometimes teens will be invited to do something they know is wrong for them. They need to know that standing up for themselves shows strength, not weakness. Help your teen practice saying, “Sorry, I just won’t do that.”
Let your teen make decisions. Teens need to practice now for adulthood. Hand over some control over choices, even if your teen opts to spend time with a friend who might hurt your teen's feelings.
Discourage comparisons with others. What other people do doesn’t matter as long as your teen is making progress toward personal goals.
Don’t allow self-put-downs. An honest mistake doesn't mean your teen is stupid. It means your teen is human. And mistakes are an important way teens learn.

Brought to you by:

Atkinson County High School
Family Engagement