Lisa Van Der Merwe - Alpharetta Counselor

  • Home
  • About
  • FAQs
    • Forms
  • Specialties
    • Depression, Anxiety, and Stress
    • Partners of Narcissists and Adult Children of Narcissistic Parents
    • Couples Counseling
    • Men’s Issues
    • Teenagers and Parenting Support
    • Life and Executive Coaching
    • Public Speaking and Workshops
    • Private Practice Building – Consultation for Therapists
  • Approach
    • Recommended Reading
  • Contact
  • Blog

Aug 13 2011

Self-Esteem and Young Women

Many young women struggle with feelings of low self-esteem and it’s a concern I frequently hear expressed from parents. Self-esteem is developed slowly over time from early childhood until adulthood, and many parents are completely taken off guard when their previously confident child suddenly becomes an unsure and self-critical young woman. Parents also often have concerns about body image issues and relationships with boys. Below are some tips to help your teenager with self-esteem:

1. Teenagers are bombarded with pressure from both the media and their friends to look a certain way. While it’s normal to want to fit in and look attractive, you can help your teen by focusing on the importance of overall physical health and personal attributes not related to their looks. Moms – teenagers pay attention to you too. If they see that you are overly focused on your own body image and attractiveness they may follow suit.  They tend to value what you value.

2. Lead by example – speak openly about the personal attributes that you believe are important. Kindness, intelligence, a sense of humor,  etc.

3. Studies have suggested that getting young women involved in activities, sports, volunteer work, and hobbies can have a positive impact on their self-esteem. It’s important that they recognize their own competencies.

4. Compliment your child and give them positive feedback but only when it’s appropriately deserved. Kids who are constantly showered with less than deserved praise do not grow up to have a true appreciation of their own self-worth or that of others.

5. Help your teen to combat negative thinking, stop aiming for perfection, and recognize their own accomplishments.

5.  Self-esteem does have a significant impact on how young women relate to the opposite sex and this is an issue that is often a huge worry for parents. Work on the tips mentioned above, talk about how to set good boundaries, keep the lines of communication open, and continue to reinforce your teen’s value, abilities, and worth.

 

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Written by Lisa · Categorized: Teens

Subscribe To My Blog

Like what you read on the blog? Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts.

Recent Posts

  • COVID-19 Update 12/23/2020
  • COVID-19 Update 9/28/2020
  • COVID-19 Update 5/7/2020
  • Covid-19 Update 3/22/2020
  • COVID-19/Counseling Update

Categories

  • About Therapy
  • Coping Skills
  • Divorce
  • Grief and Loss
  • Narcissism
  • Parenting
  • Relationships
  • Teens
  • Uncategorized
  • Work/Life Balance

Archives

  • December 2020
  • September 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • July 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • October 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • September 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • September 2014
  • May 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011

Contact

Lisa Van Der Merwe, LCSW, PC
Georgetown Park
162 Prospect Place | Alpharetta, GA 30005
ph. 770-356-4408
lisa@lvcounseling.com

Easily accessible from Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Canton, Woodstock, Norcross, Cumming, and Suwanee

Stay Connected

Looking for counseling or have a question? Please email, call, or use the contact form to reach me.

I will respond within one business day.

In the event of an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

 

 

Search

© 2015-2021 Lisa Van Der Merwe, LCSW, PC, All Rights Reserved.