Many parents go to lengths to raise kids who are polite and well-mannered.
But, your kids also have to learn to stand up for themselves, even if it means voicing disagreement or displeasure in a way that might seem disrespectful to someone else, says Reem Raouda, an author and certified conscious parenting coach. Teaching your child the importance of self-advocacy, and giving them the space to practice it without fear of reprisal, will help them develop the self-esteem they’ll need to become a confident, successful adult who isn’t afraid to give voice to their needs and opinions, she says.
“A child’s dignity — their thoughts, their beliefs, how they feel — is just monumental compared to their obedience,” Raouda says, adding: “We want them to be confident. We want them to speak up.”
Actor Dax Shepard recently discussed catching some flak for encouraging his two daughters to “talk back” to their parents and other adults, because he wants them to feel comfortable standing up for themselves, he said on a recent episode of his podcast, “Armchair Expert,” that aired on November 3. Shepard admitted other adults sometimes view his children as rude or “completely unruly,” he said. However, he and wife Kristen Bell are prioritizing raising their daughters to become confident women who will not be afraid to speak up in situations that call for it, like if they eventually work for a boss who acts like a “creep,” Shepard added.
