The Beauty and Possibility of Raising Children with Positive Self-Esteem

In a world that often seems only focused on achievement and external validation, raising children with a strong sense of self-esteem is one of the most beautiful and transformative gifts parents, teachers, and caregivers can offer. Positive self-esteem is more than just feeling good about oneself; it’s about cultivating a deep-rooted belief in one’s worth, capabilities, and potential. This foundation can shape a child’s life in extraordinary ways, opening doors to confidence, resilience, and meaningful relationships.

But how do we cultivate this kind of self-esteem?

Is it too lofty to think we can do it within our respective roles?

First, let me ask you this:

Who was the person who had the biggest positive impact on your self-esteem or confidence?

Was it a parent? A teacher? A family member? A caregiver?

Was it something they said? Or maybe it was how they stood up for you or supported you as you tried something new.

Most of us can remember at least one person who played this impactful role in our lives.

For me, it was my English summer school teacher just before my freshman year—Mr. Bell.

His name immediately came to mind as I started writing this. Mr. Bell asked me if I was enrolled in his higher-level English class, and I had to tell him that I hadn’t tested into it. He responded without hesitation, “That can’t be. I’ll do something about that, and I’ll see you in class.”

That one decision changed the course of my academic journey. Mr. Bell’s belief in me opened the door to a higher-level education that I might not have accessed otherwise. His encouragement gave me the confidence that “I can do it,” even though I hadn’t tested into the class.

Thanks to that boost, I graduated high school early and with honors!

It wasn’t until much later that I understood why standardized tests had always been a struggle—I had performance anxiety. But Mr. Bell’s faith in me helped me see beyond that. He made it possible for me to experience a challenging academic environment, and I embraced it fully.

Now, I invite you to reflect: Who played that role for you?

The beauty of raising children with positive self-esteem lies in our ability to be that person for someone else. Each word of encouragement, every small gesture of support, and each moment of believing in a child’s potential can open new doors for them, just as Mr. Bell did for me.

We all have the power to make a difference, and that is where the true possibility lies.