We have repeatedly heard of daily affirmations. The short catch words that are often used to give a positive feeling or outlook in our daily lives.
Our current beliefs have been shaped by the things surrounding us, either good or bad. It could be from the media, magazines, social media and people around us. It is therefore the duty of parents to cultivate a good and nurturing surrounding for their children early enough.
Words are a very strong tool in the character development of your child. Children believe everything they are told. Therefore, words can make or break them. These words can also be used on your child by teaching them a culture of repeating these phrases to support the flourishing of their self-esteem and self-belief.
As a parent, there is need to make personalized affirmations that your child directly relates to. This could be done with the use of positive words in the present tense and making it brief and definite. Affirmations can be said at any given time but not exceedingly to maintain their purpose and meaning.
Be sure not to use ‘but’ in your affirmations to avoid taking away the message you want to relay in the affirmation. An effortless way to do this would be to draw inspiration from your child’s current negative thoughts and recreate the opposite positive affirmations from them.
There are various other ways to affirm your child without the use of affirmations. These ways include being mindful of their needs, having and spending quality time with them, songs, actions, body language, gifts and touch.
Here are some of the affirmations you could speak to your child.
1. You are beautiful/ handsome.
This affirmation speaks to the physical appearance of your child. Whenever they are in front of a mirror these are the words that they remember which in turn improves the child’s self-esteem.
2. I love being your parent.
This affirmation assures the child that they are not a burden to you as a parent. They feel wanted and loved.
3. You do a great job/ I am proud of you.
Encouraging your child gives them a boost in their confidence that they will always strive to do the best.
4. It is okay to make mistakes.
This comes in handy when a child beats themselves up after a mistake. It assures them that it is okay to make mistakes.
5. I love you.
The child feels loved thereby boosting their self-worth.
6. I believe in you.
The child is not afraid to try on challenges because you believe in them.
7. I appreciate you.
This affirmation speaks thankfulness to the child.
As an adult, the feeling you get from appreciation, encouragement, words of love are the same feelings children get when words of affirmation are spoken to them. Nurturing your child by speaking words of affirmation to them regularly brings up children that have literacy skills, high self-esteem and self-worth that is unshaken. It also gives them confidence and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships.
