How My Teenage Daughter Says I Have Helped Her Confidence

My daughter and I recently had a delightful conversation - the first real “proper” chat that we have had a in a while. By this I mean she actually spoke freely with me, rather than doing the typical evasive teenager thing that she has been doing for the last six years. I think this has stemmed from the fact that she borrowed one of my Chicken Soup For The Soul books to read in the car; it’s pretty hard not to get a bit emotional after finishing one from cover to cover. Regardless of why she did it, it was still lovely to get to know her a bit better.

However I never expected to come away from our chat with such a light feeling in my heart. My daughter managed to open up about the ways that I had helped her confidence, and it really made me proud as a mother. I asked her to explain a bit more in detail, so I’ve decided to share some of the points with you now so you will know if you are making the right decisions at home...

Being observant

Apparently being a nosy / interfering mum can pay off as my daughter has just let me know. Not a whole lot gets passed me in the family home, so I noticed my daughter covering up more and more of her body, even during the winter. Through gentle interrogation I found that she wasn’t entirely happy with her skin, so I booked her an appointment at the doctor so she could get some medication. As her skin cleared up, so did her moods; soon enough she was back wearing what she loved.

Being understanding

My daughter had been wearing glasses since the age of four, and has had many styles over the years. Yet when she turned 17 she was reluctant to wear them as they didn’t go with what she was wearing. So as an alternative we found her some contact lenses online - something she has used ever since. However she now helps to pay for them as she will be expected to cover the cost herself when she moves out of the family home.

Being caring

It isn’t all just about looks though; there are things you can do on an emotional level that can help your daughter’s confidence. Every time she has had a bad day, whether failing a test at school or breaking up with a boyfriend, I’ve been there as a shoulder to cry on. I’ve always told her she has looked beautiful when she has dressed up, and I have tucked her into bed when she has had a cold or bug. These little gestures of kindness can do a lot to help a girl during her vulnerable teenage years when so many other things around her are changing.

Ultimately she will always be my little girl, even when she will soon be a strong and confident woman.