Reciting positive affirmations for my son every day has been such a powerful tool in insuring he has a positive mindset.
I was talking to one of my girlfriends the other day as she was dropping her kids off at school. I could hear them in the background, so I asked what they were doing. she said they recite positive affirmations at their school every morning. Immediately I thought this was wonderful because the mental health of our children should be a priority at school as well as home. Daily affirmations are a great way to help set the tone for the rest of their day. She also mentioned that she often hears them reciting them at home while they’re playing. They do it so naturally, it’s sort of subconscious. All I could think to myself is how amazing that is! Why? Because giving meaningful praise to your child helps nurture their mental health. Not only that, but it helps to build their self-esteem.
What are positive affirmations good for?
It is no secret that rejection is a part of life. As an adult I often have to use positive affirmations to boost my self-confidence and encourage positive thoughts. As a Black mother I often have to take deep breaths throughout the day to combat my anxiety. Positive praise is an essential confidence-boosting part of the learning process. More importantly it helps my child’s self-esteem. I want my boys to know they are loved, cherished, and that their lives matter. I want them to feel safe in a world that doesn’t always do that. Every day I aim to build their inner strength, foster resilience, and help encourage a growth mindset.
Why do positive affirmations work?
Positive Affirmations help remind us that words Matter. Positive statements are about providing positive feedback to your child. Even as adults you know how good it feels when someone acknowledges your efforts and/or hard work. Or even something simple like telling you what a good job you did. I know I personally have repeated affirming statements on numerous occasions to promote positive thinking. Not only is it confidence-boosting. But it also helps to reinforce their accomplishments.
I want my kids to be motivated to learn and participate with their peers. As parents we play an important role in our child’s confidence. What we say and how we say it matters.
What are some examples of positive affirmations?
Even though I try to recite affirmations with them daily. Morning affirmations can be mood boosters especially when they are having a bad day or to combat negative thoughts So here is a list of positive affirmations for my son, I like to recite them to instill a sense of pride in them.
- you make a difference.
- you matter.
- You are loved.
- you are important.
- your voice matters.
- you have a big heart.
- you are a good listener.
- you are a hard worker.
- you are unstoppable.
- you are capable.
- you belong.
- your hair is beautiful.
- your skin is beautiful.
- you will do wonderful things.
- you have great ideas.
- you are smart.
- you are enough.
- you are worthy.
What are some other ways to give praise?
- Giving a high five (our son loves high fives!)
- Giving a hug or a pat on the back
- Clapping and cheering
- Giving tangible rewards
- giving extra privileges
Should I do affirmations with my child?
With everything going on in the world I knew it was important to start with words of affirmation for our boys. However, I had to also remember a few things.
Be Honest
We always try to make sure to pour unconditional love and support into our sons, but we also remain honest. Don’t say that something is great when it is not. And one thing about kids, they will call a thing what it is. Kids are actually really good at being honest. Being honest with our kids has also helped me be a better parent. Young children learn so much from us and mimicking this behavior will not only foster positive feelings, but it will help them be a good friend as well.
Remember to motivate with praise!
Sometimes it’s the small things that have a big impact. Our son absolutely loves praise. I love to see the big smile on his face when he’s working hard towards a goal, and he hears how great he’s doing. It motivates him to keep pushing and not give up. Positive thought patterns can boost confidence and help give them the push they need to take action and/or complete a task.
Be Specific and Genuine
In therapy, they often tell us to be specific with praise. However, we have always done that because we are really big on communication and want him to know exactly what was great. We would do the same if we were giving constructive criticism. So instead of just saying “good job!” we say, “good job putting that puzzle together!” One of the hard things we had to learn was to comment on the process and not just the individual.
At the end of the day, we are trying to raise emotionally aware and loved Black boys. One of the best things I can do for my children is give them the tools they need to live intentional lives. This is not something that can be done in a single day. So, get some affirmation cards, or stand in front of a mirror, but we are getting rid of any negative self-talk!
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