Ten Ways To Encourage Your Children

Ten easy ways to encourage your children (plus one bonus tip)

One of the best gifts we can give our families as homemakers is the gift of encouragement. Today I am sharing ten easy ways to encourage your children.

According to Webster’s dictionary, to encourage means to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope. I don’t know about you, but as a mother and homemaker I would love my children to leave my nest with courage, spirit AND hope!

No matter how well-designed, comfortable or trendy the decor, if our children live in fear of criticism, they are not truly experiencing the joy of home!

We can make our homes a safe haven for our children with the words we speak, the expressions on our faces, and the actions we choose. A home of warmth, encouragement and growth!

Let me preface this by saying none of us are perfect mothers, care givers, or homemakers. We will all make mistakes, and at times we will find ourselves slipping into habits that don’t bring out the best in our children. I have done this many times and have had to apologize and change my course!

Creating a positive atmosphere is key

We’ve all experienced a warm, encouraging word from someone we love and trust. Like welcome sun rays, we bask in and remember those affirming words and smiles. As children, we build our identities around the ways we are spoken to and treated. And as mothers, we have the opportunity to encourage our children daily.

Affirming, positive words can work to encourage your children. Likewise, looks of approval, smiles and hugs all work to build the confidence and character of our children.

After being a mom for 8 years, I have learned that even discipline can be spoken in a gentle way that builds and restores our children.

Today I wanted to share ten easy ways you can encourage your child and, in doing so, bring warmth and joy to your home.

Smile at your child

The first thing you can do to encourage your child is to simply smile at them! Children long for their parents approval more than anyone else’s. A simple genuine smile lets your child know you are happy with them and that you approve of them. Smiling at your children when you need to give them directions will allow them to hear your instructions from a place of warmth and cooperation.

Call out your child’s strengths

Did your child hit a home run at his baseball game? Maybe, like my daughter, they sit at the table for hours creating beautiful works of art out of construction paper. Perhaps they consistently give hugs to other children when they are hurt. Each of our children have innate, God given strengths that we as mothers witness from a front row seat. Verbally letting our children know we see and recognize their talents can not only encourage them now, it can help them identify and grow into their future career callings.

Speak Your Child’s Love Language

There are whole books written about love languages that can help you connect with your child. An easy way to identify your child’s primary love language is to watch for how they consistently try to interact with you. Does your child want to crawl in your lap and cuddle? Their primary love language may be physical touch. If they enjoy making and giving gifts, it may be that gift giving/receiving is their love language. If your child longs to just hang out and talk, quality time may be their love language. One of my children loves hugs and another thrives off of quality time.

Keep a Calm Tone to Your Voice

One way that we can inadvertently discourage our children is to speak down to them or raise our voice. Using a calm voice even when children are acting up is a great way to not only model respect, but it also helps to de escalate whatever situation you are in! Additionally, your children will not feel discouraged by you and will be ready to receive your encouragement.

Write Your Child a Note of Encouragement

Consider leaving your child a love note once or twice a month. If they are younger, you can draw a picture of the two of you together doing something that you love.

Help Your Child Re Frame Failure

When your child makes a mistake, you can encourage them to be an over comer. When dishes don’t quite make it to the sink, or laundry spills to the floor, encourage your child by providing a kind word. A simple, “I know you were trying your best, we’ll pick it up and try again” can go miles in building your child’s resiliency and character.

Pray with your Child

Life is hard. We all have obstacles to overcome, and the same is true for our children. No matter what trials your child may face, you can teach them to be encouraged by God’s word and through prayer. When facing a challenging situation with your child, offer to pray with them. Remind them that we all need God’s help and we can rely on his strength.

Enjoy your Child

I was recently listening to this podcast and they touched on the importance of just enjoying our children. Our kiddos are only little once, and we won’t get to enjoy their silly, fun and sometimes crazy ways forever. Take time to play games, smile at, hug and just enjoy your children. Look them in the eyes and really appreciate them for who they are in that moment. Not only will you feel less stressed as you focus on the things you love about your kids, your children will be encouraged by the positive interaction.

Encourage Your Child’s Interests

You can build your child’s confidence and encourage their growth by letting them explore a new area of interest. Whether its baking, raising a new pet, or joining a sports team, you can encourage your child’s growth and confidence in life by supporting them through new hobbies and adventures.

Let Your Child Make the Decisions

A wonderful way to build your child up and develop his/her character is to allow them to make some “grown up” decisions and respect what they choose! Of course I’m not talking about major life decisions. But, request your child’s input on projects like menu planning for the week, buying a birthday present for a friend, or which direction to go for while on a walk. Let your child experience and gain confidence in their decision making ability from a young age. They will be confident and encouraged in who they are if you practice this regularly.

Spend Time with your Child

I will leave you with the most important way to encourage and build up your child. Just spend time with them! Turn off the screens, and take some time to just enjoy each other. Talk, read books, color, or play outside. Of all the ways you can encourage your child, this is the most important. We live in an attention starved world, where many people spend more time interacting with screens than they do other humans. Be intentional in showing your children how important they are by giving them time that is focused 100% on them.