5 ways to build confidence in little girls.

I have had my fair share of struggles with confidence. I can't blame it on a singular incident or my upbringing because I had an amazing childhood. It's just who I am. I think a lot of us struggle with being confident whether it's at work, with friends, our body image, parenting or even meeting new people. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it's in our female DNA. Never mind celebrities and postpartum mommas who are back down to their fighting weight in a matter of seconds. It's no wonder!

Confidence is a daily discussion at our house. As our daughters grow older, they have begun to encounter their first round with "mean girls" and how tough school can be. For reference, I have a 7 + 5 year old. 

I know what you're thinking, "Gosh, that sure is early to start experiencing this type of behavior," and my answer is: "Yes, it is!" With that said, I want my girls to avoid some of the pitfalls I've encountered over the years, although I know some are unavoidable. 

Today I am sharing 5 ways we, as parents, can build confidence in our little girls:

1. Tell them how stunning they are each and every day. You can never remind them enough.

2. Never shame them for being inquisitive about their bodies or asking intimate questions.

   1. I try to be an open book 24/7 on even the most difficult questions. We've discussed adoption, babies, sexuality...you name it!

3. Be honest. Admit your mistakes and tell them what you learned from them. It's a simple matter of building their trust.

   1. Lola asked me why I got tattoos and my answer was simple, "I wanted to get them, I still like them and I have no regrets!" Dad, on the other hand, is a different story!

4. Never speak negatively about your own body image or deficiences. They are listening.

5. Build them up on their off days. If a child at school is not being inclusive, train them to have the confidence to walk away. You can never stress their worth enough.

   1. I always tell Olivia that if a certain girl isn't being nice to her than to stop wasting her energy on her because there are MANY kids who do want to spend time with her. And it's true!

Some days my kids want to be a vet, a rock star, a mom...other days they want to be a barista, a social media expert or not have any kids at all. The key is to manage your reactions, no matter what happiness you want them to have or whatever path you had envisioned for them. Truth is...they are in elementary school. There is TIME which is not to say that any of the above are good, bad or indifferent. Because they aren't!

My only wish is for my girls to know their worth, stand up for what they believe in, know that they are gorgeous and of course, be the funniest, smartest girls in the room. Is that too much to ask?

How do you install confidence in your children?

Check out today's link ups: Pink Sole, Musings of a Housewife, More Pieces of Me, Watch Out for the Woetsmans Fizz and Frosting, Style Elixir, I Do deClaire, The Mummy Chronicles, The Pleated Poppy, Tucker Up, Get Your Pretty On, Shopping My Closet Sincerely Jenna Marie, Living in Color!