I often hear my daughter putting herself down, saying things
like "I’m so ugly" or "I can’t do anything right." I try to
assure her that none of these things are true, but nothing I say
seems to make a difference. How do I know if my daughter is
suffering from something more serious than insecurity? And what
can I say or do to make her feel better about herself? How kids
feel about themselves can depend on many different factors, such
as their environment, body image, experiences, and the standards
they set for themselves. While these factors may contribute to
poor self-esteem, you can still play an important role in
helping your daughter feel better about herself. When you hear
her make a negative comment about herself, call attention to it
and point out things that she should feel good about, such as
close friends, a supportive family, good grades, or athletic
successes. Recognizing and modifying negative thoughts about
herself, making a positive contribution (such as volunteering),
exercising regularly, an