adminTeach your Daughters About True Beauty; 10 tips to Build Confidence and Self Worth
MY Dearest Reader,
I am the mother of a 13 year old girl. She is right in that tween/ teen stage, (you remember the one where you are beginning to find yourself.) She is at that place where she is trying to find where she fits into the world. She is as tall as a willow tree, which in its own rights makes her look twice her age, and then you add her completely mature figure and reserved attitude and you have a recipe for disaster. Not that she is a bad girl. No, she is about the most gentle, reserved, laid back person I know. So why the dread? Because when you add looking like your older to the world standards set upon beauty, you get a very confused child in a women’s body who is unsure what or who she should be.
My daughter, and we will call her Kiki gets a subscription to A magazine for teenagers each month. She has for years and the beauty and fashion that is exposed, I will say, in the magazine is not appropriate for young girls.
Okay yeah, I’m an older mom. I grew up in a different era, where children dressed as children, and our teen idea of fashion was pumps and palazzo pants. There was no exposure to all this nonsense online, and children were free to be children. Our sense of who we might be came from our churches, our community, and some tiny pond somewhere with frogs and tadpoles. I get it I grew up in a different world.
For the last year we have monitored the teen magazines front cover. After a long discussion on what you wear, we see over and over these girl becoming less and less dressed. I mean this last cover looked like a copy of playboy with the cover girl on her knees and opening her shirt just to the point where.. okay you get the idea. And So, our children, yes yours, and mine are being advertised to so that they think that wearing less clothing will make them more appealing to the world. Paa Leeease!
And let’s not mention all the other nonsense beauty standards out there. Let me not get this wrong I am not against makeup or hair products. I use it, my daughter uses it. I am against telling a women or a child that she is not worthy unless. What makes you worthy? Today, I delve into that. So sit down, relax, and I’ll see ya there.
Love, Mumma
Discovering True Beauty
Welcome to a journey of discovering true beauty, the kind that radiates from the inside out. In a world filled with mixed messages about worth and appearance, I believe it’s more important than ever to teach our daughters that they are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ by God. This article is here to help you nurture your daughter’s self-worth, confidence, and sense of beauty in a way that goes beyond the surface.
We’ll explore 10 practical, faith-based tips to encourage your daughter to see herself as God’s masterpiece, focusing on character, kindness, and her unique gifts. Whether you’re a mom, dad, teacher, or mentor, I invite you to join me as we guide the next generation toward lasting confidence and a deep understanding of true beauty. Let’s celebrate the beauty that’s not only seen but felt in the love, kindness, and faith we cultivate. After all, she is God’s handiwork!”**
Tip 1: Emphasize Inner Beauty Over Outer Appearance
Teaching Point:
True beauty shines from within. Teaching your daughter to focus on qualities like kindness, empathy, and a loving heart will help her see that what matters most is not outward appearance, but her character and actions.
Practical Steps:
Model and Praise Inner Qualities: Regularly compliment her on traits like kindness, patience, or creativity. For instance, say things like, “I love how thoughtful you were helping your friend” or “Your compassion really shines!” This reinforces that these traits are valuable and beautiful.
Encourage Acts of Kindness Together: Engage in small acts of kindness as a team—write thank-you notes, volunteer together, or share a treat with neighbors. These actions will help her understand that being beautiful on the inside has a positive impact on others.
Tip 2: Speak Words of Affirmation
Teaching Point:
Words have power. Regularly speaking positive and affirming words helps your daughter build a healthy self-image and reinforces her sense of self-worth.
Practical Steps:
Create a Daily Affirmation Ritual: Start each day with positive affirmations. Share a phrase like, “You are loved, capable, and brave,” and encourage her to say it aloud.
Personalize Compliments: Notice and comment on her unique qualities. For example, “I love how dedicated you are to your art” or “You have a beautiful way of seeing the world.”
Tip 3: Encourage Her Unique Talents and Interests
Teaching Point:
Confidence grows when a child explores and develops her natural gifts. Embracing her interests allows her to celebrate her individuality.
Practical Steps:
Provide Opportunities for Growth: Sign her up for classes or activities that nurture her interests—whether it’s art, music, sports, or academics.
Celebrate Effort Over Results: Encourage her to pursue her passions without pressure. Praise her dedication and growth, not just achievements, reinforcing that her effort is what makes her special.
Tip 4: Teach Her to Stand Firm in Faith
Teaching Point:
Faith offers a foundation for confidence. When she knows she is loved by God, she will feel secure and assured, even in challenging times.
Practical Steps:
Incorporate Daily Devotionals: Start the day with a short Bible reading or reflection to remind her of God’s love and guidance.
Teach Her to Pray During Tough Moments: Encourage her to bring her worries or fears to God in prayer, helping her feel supported and guided through faith.
Tip 5: Model Self-Respect and Self-Care
Teaching Point:
Show her the importance of valuing herself and caring for her well-being, setting a strong example of self-respect.
Practical Steps:
Practice Self-Care Together: Spend time doing activities that support physical and mental wellness, such as taking nature walks, cooking nutritious meals, or having a spa night at home.
Set Boundaries and Explain Them: When you say “no” to something or set a boundary, explain why it’s essential for your health and happiness. This helps her understand the importance of valuing herself.
Tip 6: Highlight the Value of Kindness and Compassion
Teaching Point: Teaching your daughter to be kind and compassionate will help her understand the joy of uplifting others, which contributes to her inner beauty.
Practical Steps:
Make Kindness a Family Tradition: Participate in acts of kindness as a family, such as donating toys, volunteering, or helping neighbors, to show her the impact of compassion.
Recognize Her Kind Actions: Praise her when she’s shown kindness to others, reinforcing that these actions make her a beautiful person.
Tip 7: Help Her Cultivate Resilience
Teaching Point:
Self-worth is strengthened by resilience. Teaching her to embrace challenges builds her confidence in overcoming obstacles.
Practical Steps:
Celebrate Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: When she faces a setback, talk through what she can learn from it and praise her for trying, which shows her that mistakes are part of growth.
Model a Positive Mindset in Tough Times: Share stories of times you overcame difficulties, showing her that perseverance leads to strength and wisdom.
Tip 8: Encourage Positive Friendships
Teaching Point:
Positive friendships help girls build confidence and a sense of belonging, reinforcing the value of true, supportive relationships.
Practical Steps:
Talk About Healthy Friendship Traits: Teach her what it means to be a good friend and the qualities of healthy friendships, such as respect, support, and kindness.
Host Small Gatherings: Arrange playdates or group activities with other children who share her values and interests, helping her build positive relationships in a safe, familiar setting.
Tip 9: Embrace Natural Beauty
Teaching Point:
Embracing natural beauty helps her understand she is beautiful just as she is, without needing to change her appearance.
Practical Steps:
Limit Screen Time on Beauty Influences: Guide her to positive role models who emphasize inner qualities over appearances and limit exposure to unrealistic beauty standards.
Encourage Natural Self-Care: Share fun, simple self-care routines, like skincare or hair care, that highlight caring for her body without drastically altering her appearance.
Tip 10: Remind Her She is God’s Masterpiece
Teaching Point:
Reinforce her identity as a beloved creation of God, made with a purpose and infinite worth, which grounds her confidence in faith.
Practical Steps:
Share Uplifting Bible Verses Together: Use verses like Psalm 139:14 (“I am fearfully and wonderfully made”) to help her see her worth through God’s eyes.
Write Notes of Encouragement: Leave little notes around the house or in her backpack with reminders like, “You are God’s masterpiece” or “You have a special purpose.” This can be a gentle, constant reminder of her worth.
Encouragement for Parents
Parenting is a journey filled with both wonder and challenges, especially when raising daughters in a world that sometimes values appearance over character. But remember, you are not alone in this journey. Every effort you make to instill confidence, faith, and a true sense of beauty in your daughter has a lasting impact.Take heart in knowing that the little things you do each day – from words of affirmation to small acts of kindness – are building a foundation for her to grow into a strong, kind, and self-assured woman. Embrace the imperfections of this journey, knowing that God has called you to be her parent for a reason. You are equipped with the love, wisdom, and patience needed to guide her.So take a deep breath, give yourself grace, and know that every loving effort counts. You are planting seeds of confidence and faith that will bloom in her life for years to come. Keep shining your light – you’re doing an amazing job. Remember, one step at a time, you’re building a legacy of love.”
Final Thought
As you nurture and guide your daughter, always remember that true beauty isn’t something the world can define for her. It’s the reflection of her heart, her faith, and her strength. You’re not just teaching her about how to look or act—you’re showing her how to live with purpose, love deeply, and stand tall in her worth. The foundation you’re building today will carry her into a future filled with confidence, kindness, and a deep sense of God’s love for her. Keep going, even when it feels tough. Your impact is immeasurable, and your love will shape her forever. You’re doing more than raising a daughter—you’re raising a beautiful, strong, and faithful woman of God. Keep trusting in His plan for her, and know that, as you walk this path together, you are truly a part of something wonderful.
Love, Mumma.
