12/31/2025
Ever wonder why so many teens and adults feel anxious even when nothing’s wrong?
It often starts much earlier than we think… with a single word many of us grew up hearing every day:
“Good.”
I’ve spent years helping parents shift from praise to presence and the difference it makes in a child’s confidence is remarkable.
When we replace “Good job!” with “I noticed how much effort you put into that,” something beautiful happens:
Kids stop seeking constant approval and start feeling safe in their own self-worth.
Validation feels nice—but connection creates resilience. 💙
This is one of the simplest yet most powerful shifts we can make at home. Try it for a day.
✨ Instead of praise, offer presence.
✨ Instead of approval, offer awareness.
You’ll be amazed at what grows when your teen starts believing in themselves, not just in your opinion of them.
Save this post as a gentle reminder:
You don’t have to raise perfect kids. You’re raising self-aware humans.
[Ref: https://academic.oup.com/chidev/article-abstract/84/5/1526/8267247]
