“I’ve always just stood in my skin, and just being able to be proud in who I am…I don’t care what anybody has to say about me. I love who I am. I’m Angel Reese, and I feel like I’ve grown to be this person where everybody loves me for who I am and I think that’s because I’m authentically me.” - Angel Reese

Hey Corage Crew,

Have you been following our socials lately? Well awhile back we celebrated LSU basketball championship winner and college sophomore Angel Reese as she gave an inspiring speech that celebrated her unapologetic Blackness and encouraged Black girls everywhere to do the same despite the stress of what society throws at us. The confidence she brings on and off the court reminds young girls that they too can be unstoppable when they put their mind to uplifting themselves and others!

As parents, it's our job to provide our children with the resources they need to navigate their emotions and help build their confidence when they need it most.

Here are some tips to help you support your child during stressful times so they can feel affirmed and boost their self-esteem so they can grow up to stand tall in their truth just like Angel!

1) Encourage Self-Awareness

Teaching your child to be self-aware of their emotions is key to building their confidence. Encourage them to name their feelings and talk through what might be causing them. Ask questions like, "What are you feeling right now?" or "What do you think caused you to feel that way?" This will help your child understand their emotions and build resilience over time.

2) Celebrate Small Wins

When faced with stress or big challenges, it's easy for children (and adults!) to get stuck in a negative thought cycle. Encourage your child to focus on the things they have achieved or the small steps they're taking towards their goals. Saying things like, "You're making progress!" or "You should feel proud of yourself for trying!" will help reinforce positive self-talk and build confidence.

3) Foster A Growth Mindset

Encouraging children to have a growth mindset is a valuable tool for building confidence. A growth mindset means believing that skills and abilities can be developed over time with hard work and perseverance. When your child faces difficult challenges, you can use those moments as an opportunity to teach them about growth mindset. For example, "It's okay to make mistakes, that's how we learn!" or "You can always try again next time and do better!"

4) Encourage Effort Over Outcome

When children are feeling stressed or anxious, they often focus on the end result instead of the effort they're putting in. Encourage your child to focus on the process rather than the outcome. For example, instead of asking, "Did you win the game?" ask, "Did you have fun playing the game?" or "How did you prepare for the game?" This mindset helps children feel more in control of their actions rather than just focusing on the result.

I hope that these tips help guide you in building your child's confidence during stressful times. Remember, as parents, we have the power to help our children navigate their emotions and build resilience for their futures. Learn more on how Corage Dolls is encouraging girls of color to be unstoppable!

Best Regards,

Flora Ekpe-Idang | Founder | CEO | Corage Dolls