Self-Esteem: How do we build our kids up? - Shrinking It Down

Self-Esteem: How do we build our kids up? – Shrinking It Down

By Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director and Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Topics: ADHD, Child + Adolescent Development

Low self-esteem gets all of us down at one point or another. For kids, the goal is to help build them back up. Lots of things can lower our kids’ self-esteem like body image, cyberbullying, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and surprisingly, guilt (along with lots of other things!).

This week, Gene and Khadijah break down the ways that we can help our kids elevate their self-esteem and their sense of worth. From giving positive feedback to creating a sense of competency, there are plenty of things parents – and other caring adults – can do to help their kids. If this is something you think your child might be struggling with, tune in below. We hope that our conversation helps you to have yours.

Media List

Follow along with the conversation.

‘Snow potentially in April’: Massachusetts spring forecast predicts winter setbacks (Boston Herald)
‘They draw bombs, tanks and wishes for peach’: Ukraine’s child mental health crisis (The Guardian)
Low Self-Esteem: Where does it come from and what can adults do to help? (MGH Clay Center)
Trauma: What Parents Should Know (MGH Clay Center)
Ways to emotionally support your teen in responding to racism (MGH Clay Center)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (CDC)
Digital Media and Body Image (MGH Clay Center)
R *** REFRAME (Instagram – MGH Clay Center)
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (MGH Clay Center)
Learning + Attention Issues (MGH Clay Center)
Random Acts of Kindness (Instagram – MGH Clay Center)
Why gardening is good for your mental wellbeing (Thrive)
How long do betta fish live as pets? (Pets WebMD)

Episode produced by Bianca Dempsey

Edited by Sara Rattigan

Music by Gene Beresin

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Khadijah Booth Watkins, Associate Director

Khadijah Booth Watkins, MD, MPH, is associate director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and the Associate Director of the Child and...

To learn more about Khadijah, or to contact her directly, please see Our Team.

Gene Beresin, Executive Director

Gene Beresin, MD, MA is executive director of The MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, and a staff child and adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital. He is also...

To learn more about Gene, or to contact him directly, please see Our Team.