5 Ways to Raise Confident Tweens

This 5 Ways to Raise Confident Tweens post is sponsored by JIMMY Patterson Books.

5 Ways to Raise Confident Tweens

Raising children is one of the hardest things that I have ever done. There is so much pressure to do things right and to help these kids plan amazing futures that sometimes I forgot about all of the pressures that my kids have as well. We hope that you enjoy these 5 Ways to Raise Confident Tweens.

Kids have pressure from their parents to succeed in school, to always have good manners, to do the right things, to be kind, to be compassionate and more. While pressure may be a strong word, there is the expectation that our children will do all of these things and more.

Raising confident tweens is something that I strive for as a parent every single day. These 5 Ways to Raise Confident Tweens are guidelines that I follow in order to boost my kid’s confidence.

5 Ways to Raise Confident Tweens

1. Let them fail.

Fail. That’s right. Let them fail. I have failed more times than I can count and absolutely every single time, I have learned so much that this is exactly what I want my children experience. There is nothing like a fresh failure to make you examine where you went wrong.

My daughter wanted to learn how to bake and she bought the ingredients to make cookies. She had never baked a thing before and although I offered to help, she wanted to do it on her own. Her first batch was awful because she forgot the sugar and something else. She threw everything away and started again right away after figuring out where she went wrong. The second batch was perfect and she hasn’t stopped baking since. This child learns so much from every failure that she is not at all afraid to not do well at something.

2. Let them fly.

Seeing one or all of my children fly is one of the most exciting things to me. Although I am a bit of a helicopter parent, I have no problem letting them fly when they feel that they are ready. My son joined the mountain biking team last year and his intention was to just attend the practices instead of the practices plus the competition. After watching one competition he decided that he was ready to compete. I didn’t agree but I do trust him so we let him try the competition without being fully prepared. He excelled and came in second place which was so exciting. Letting him fly was so hard but he knew that he was ready.

3. Ask them what they learned.

One of the most important things when teaching a child a lesson is to make certain that they comprehend what you have taught them. I always ask my kids to tell me about what we just learned or what they learned because I want to make certain that they not only understand, that they also practice.

4. Send the right message.

Sending the right message to tweens is not always easy. There are so many things coming at them. The right message is one that everyone in the family is comfortable with and one that makes us all better humans.

5. No negative talk.

This has been a rule in my house. We never say negative things about ourselves or others. We don’t stand in front of a mirror to say we are fat or that we don’t like something about ourselves. We don’t call each other stupid or any names at all besides the ones given to us by our parents. I have raised my kids to believe that they are perfect just like they are. This includes being called names by other people, being in a negative environment or bullying from others.

Each one of my kids has encountered a bully or two while in school and I believe that the key to combatting bullies is to raise confident kids and teach them that it is never ok to bully anyone for any reason. A great book on this topic that the kids have been reading isPottymouth and Stoopid by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein. Read more about the book below!

Pottymouth and Stoopid: The Best Book for kids in Years!

David and his best friend Michael were tagged with awful nicknames way back in preschool when everyone did silly things. Fast-forward to seventh grade: “Pottymouth” and “Stoopid” are still stuck with the names—and everyone in school, including the teachers and their principal, believe the labels are true.

So how do they go about changing everyone's minds? By turning their misery into megastardom on TV, of course! Follow their roller-coaster journey from the ultimate losers to the biggest winners, with more than 100 hilarious illustrations in this signature Patterson format. And this important story delivers more than just laughs—it shows that the worst bullying doesn't have to be physical . . . and that things will get better.

This book is now a favorite in our house and has been read by all three of my kids. The anti-bullying messaging is really one that all kids need to hear and practice. Your kids will love Pottymouth and Stoopid!

Drown out the Bullies! + Win a Copy of Pottymouth and Stoopid

One lucky winner from Divine Lifestyle will receive a copy of Pottymouth and Stoopid plus a pair of kids’ wireless noise reduction headphones. To enter, use the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by JIMMY Patterson Books.

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