Confidence & Self-Esteem in Teens | Best of Ask Lisa

Does your tween or teen struggle with low confidence and self-esteem? Do you want to cultivate healthy self-compassion and self-worth in them — and in yourself? In this special "Best of Ask Lisa" compilation, clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and co-host Reena Ninan pull together some of their most powerful conversations on self-esteem, confidence, and self-compassion, covering the full arc of the tween and teen years. Whether your child is drowning in negative self-talk, paralyzed by perfectionism, or just seems to have lost the spark they once had, this episode will help you understand what's normal, what's not, and what actually works. 💡 YOU'LL LEARN: Why confidence naturally dips around ages 5-9 (and why that doesn't mean you've failed as a parent) Why girls often experience a sharp confidence drop around age 12, and what's really going on for boys during puberty The "tributaries and the lake" framework for building self-esteem that lasts across a lifetime How to respond when your kid spirals into harsh negative self-talk, including the exact phrases Dr. Lisa recommends Whether it's okay to tell your daughter she's beautiful How modeling self-compassion is one of the most powerful confidence tools you have This episode draws on insights from guests Dr. Tovah Klein, Dr. Sue Varma, and Dr. Traci Baxley, alongside Dr. Lisa's own research and clinical expertise. Your child's confidence struggles are workable; making small, consistent shifts in how you respond can make a real difference over time. 👇 We'd love to hear from you: What's one area where your tween or teen seems to be struggling with confidence right now? Drop it in the comments below and let's talk about it. 🎓 MEET YOUR HOSTS Dr. Lisa Damour is a clinical psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and globally recognized expert on adolescent development who partners with UNICEF to support parents worldwide. Reena Ninan is an Emmy-award winning journalist, former anchor for CBS and ABC News, and mother navigating the teen years in real time. 🤝 TODAY’S SPONSORS Momentous: Get 5% off your first order with promo code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.livemomentous.com⁠ Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at ⁠https://www.shopify.com/asklisa⁠ Mill: $75 off with your membership code ASKLISA at ⁠https://www.mill.com/asklisa⁠ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Building real confidence in kids 00:51 - Where does self-esteem come from in kids? 09:21 - Why confidence drops in middle school 18:20 - How kids build lasting confidence through doing 23:11 - Handling negative self-talk and perfectionism in teens 32:19 - Why your own self-esteem matters as a parent 34:02 - You're not alone in this 🎬 FEATURED EPISODES    • How Do I Build My Kid’s Confidence and Sel...      • Raising Resilient Kids in Uncertain Times ...      • Is Your Teen Too Focused on Their Looks? |...      • How Do I Support My Unathletic Son in Our ...      • Psychologist Explains Why Boys Say Sexist ...      • What Your Kid's '"Free" Game Is Really Cos...      • How Do I Parent a Teen with a Chronic Heal...      • The Summer of Building Independence | Epis...      • How Do I Combat My Kid's Perfectionism? | ...      • Practical Optimism with Dr. Sue Varma | Ep...      • How Do I Raise a Compassionate Child? with...      • How Do I Get My Teen to Want to Spend Time...   🔔 SUBSCRIBE for expert parenting advice every Tuesday →    / @asklisapodcast   💌 GET DR. DAMOUR’S FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Guidance, strategies, and tips delivered straight to your inbox → https://drlisadamour.com/sign-up-for-... 📖 DR. DAMOUR’S BESTSELLING BOOKS Untangled – https://bit.ly/UntangledBook Under Pressure – https://bit.ly/UnderPressuretheBook The Emotional Lives of Teenagers – https://a.co/d/cbOmTKp 🎓 UNTANGLING 10TO20 MEMBERSHIP Premium courses & resources for teens and the adults who care for them → https://lnkd.in/gr52MB-F 🌐 VISIT DR. LISA'S WEBSITE → https://drlisadamour.com/ 🎧 LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP https://bit.ly/AskLisaApplePodcasts https://bit.ly/AskLisaSpotify ABOUT ASK LISA The essential podcast for parents of tweens and teens. Join clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan every Tuesday as they tackle real parenting challenges—from anxiety and social media to friendships, school stress, and emotional development. Get science-backed strategies, compassionate guidance, and practical solutions you can use today. New episodes every Tuesday 📅 Produced by Good Trouble Productions → https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com 📱 FOLLOW ASK LISA   / asklisapodcast     / asklisapodcast     / ask-lisa-podcast   #ParentingTeens #TeenMentalHealth #SelfEsteem #RaisingResilientKids #ParentingPodcast #AskLisa #NegativeSelfTalk DISCLAIMER The advice provided on this podcast does not constitute or serve as a substitute for professional psychological treatment, therapy, or other types of professional advice or intervention. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being, consult a physician or mental health professional.