Going back to school can be a daunting prospect, especially for older kids who may have begun to become much more self-aware and conscious of their appearance.
As a parent, supporting our children through these tricky years and helping them to develop self-confidence and resilience is key.
Teaching kids the importance of self-nurturing and self-love is important, too, and there is a strong argument that can be made about the benefits of some key treatments that, in certain cases, can make a big difference to how your child feels about starting back at school and socializing in general.
Below are some treatments and pampering ideas that could help boost your kid’s self-esteem and have them looking forward to the new school term.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
Having confidence in our smile is really important to our self-confidence and in how we present when we meet new people. If your teen is very conscious about the appearance of their teeth – especially if they have staining – then this could be negatively affecting how they feel about interacting with current and potential new friends.
This is an issue that can be easily addressed. There’s now a wide range of teeth whitening products, including treatments for sensitive teeth, that don’t use any harsh chemicals or that use LED lighting technology to gently brighten teeth and drastically reduce the appearance of staining or discoloration.
You may want to consider an at-home teeth whitening treatment for your teen for added convenience – these kits are typically super easy to use and make for a more affordable option, too.
Mini Makeover
Having a makeover for your child is a fun way to spend some time together before the start of the school term; that’ll uplevel their confidence and have them feeling great inside and out.
Many department store beauty counters offer free mini makeovers, so why not take your child along for one of these sessions if it’s something they’d love to experience? If there’s a product they particularly like, such as a tinted lip balm or some luxurious moisturizer, then treating them to this is a great way to keep the feeling of increased confidence going in their day-to-day life.
Relax in a Hot Tub
If your child is old enough to be able to safely use a hot tub, then going for a visit to a spa or leisure center that offers this facility to relax in the warm, bubbling water is a lovely thing to do together. Taking some time out to fully unwind and spend some special time together before school starts again can promote better mental health for both of you and is a good opportunity for some bonding.
Teaching your older child or teen that they deserve regular pampering, and to enjoy self-care rituals daily, is important in helping them to develop feelings of self-worth and inner strength. Round off your hot tub experience by indulging in a delicious, nutritious lunch together for the perfect end to a peaceful morning.
Visit to the Salon
If your child is feeling nervous about going back to school, then a visit to the hair salon to get a new look could be just the thing they need to start feeling better about things. This won’t suit all kids, but if your child has a strong sense of their own style and how they want to look, then letting them (within reason!) choose their own haircut can work wonders.
Invest in high-quality shampoo, conditioner, and styling products afterward so that they can easily recreate their just-out-the-salon look for the first day of school – hair masks are also a fun opportunity for a mid-week confidence-boosting pamper!
Build Your Child’s Sense of Self-Worth
Finally, the most important treatments that you can offer your child when it comes to building true self-worth and resilience are those that work on the inner self. To this end, here are a few key ways, as a parent, that you can help:
- Model strong self-confidence. Do this by being mindful of how you speak about your own body and abilities, for example. Avoid using critical language about yourself. Be a role model for your child in how you approach new situations or things that make you feel anxious, and talk with them about your feelings, how you overcame them, and the benefits that this brought.
- Foster independent thinking. While it’s important to offer guidance, it’s equally important to allow your older child to make some decisions. Stepping back, as hard as it might be, is vital so that they can experience the natural consequences of their actions. Balancing freedom with guidance is the aim.
- Give your child opportunities to try new things. Everyone can feel nervous about trying something new, and kids can be even more prone to worry about failure in this regard. However, encouraging your child to try something new that they’re interested in – such as joining a club or learning a musical instrument – is a great way of promoting self-confidence and boosting their sense of worth.
Use the guide above to help your child feel better about starting school and to build healthy mental habits that’ll help them develop into grounded, resilient, confident adults.
