If your child is constantly anxious, self-conscious and seems afraid of the world, they may have low self-esteem. With puberty, the demands of schoolwork, and peer pressure thrown into the mix, self-esteem issues may be even more complex to address. As a parent, this is understandably a cause for concern. After all, a child’s self-esteem can have profound effects on every aspect of their lives. Without a healthy level of self-confidence, children may find it difficult to navigate the challenges in life and forge meaningful relationships with others.
So, how can you, as a parent, boost your child’s self-esteem?
The importance of emotional bonds
Forging strong emotional bonds with your child is one of the fundamentals of helping your child build self-esteem. When someone doesn’t feel loved or accepted, they may bend themselves backwards just to receive recognition and acceptance from others. On the contrary, if a child knows that they are loved and supported unconditionally, they will feel more secure and confident without needing to prove themselves to anyone.
To forge a strong relationship with your child, it is pertinent to spend quality time with them. This means setting aside time for fun bonding activities with your child, such as helping them organise a solo photoshoot.
Organising a solo photoshoot for your child
Why do a photoshoot? While it appears to be an unusual parent and child bonding activity, there are many good reasons why a solo photoshoot for your child is the ideal bonding experience. Everyone is busy, and both you and your child may already have many day-to-day commitments. Hence, it will be more beneficial to pay attention to the quality of the time spent with your child rather than the quantity – which is exactly what a photoshoot can offer.
Solo child photoshoot at Oh Dear Studio Singapore
As compared to activities like dancing or cooking classes, a photoshoot requires less time commitment but produces everlasting results in the form of beautiful portraits that both you and your child can look back on fondly.
Beautiful, timeless portraits to look back on with your child
Plus, the process of preparing for the photoshoot can be an enjoyable and fun process for parent and child alike! For example, you can go shopping together for outfits and accessories and plan other details of the photoshoot together.
How to prepare for your child’s solo photoshoot
It is essential to involve your child in the photoshoot preparation process so that they feel respected and heard. Allow your child to have a say in their fashion choices – after all, this photoshoot is all about them. You can even have matching, themed outfits to turn up the fun! Getting inspiration from your child’s idols and practising photography poses together are also great ways to prepare for the photoshoot. Of course, if you have preferences that differ from your child’s, feel free to discuss it. Two-way communication is always key to a robust relationship built on love and trust.
The importance of displaying portraits of you & your child at home
After the photoshoot, don’t forget to hang up the portraits of you and your child at home. I’d say that this is the most important step that must not be missed!
Doing up printed cushions with your child’s portraits works, too!
Hanging up family portraits is a powerful way of creating a sense of belonging, importance and security in your child, which in turn, results in increased self-worth and confidence.
Displaying family portraits at home brings many benefits to your child.
According to David Krauss, licensed psychologist and co-author of the research paper “Phototherapy in Mental Health”, family portraits show the family as a “family unit”, which is “so helpful for children to see themselves as a valued and important part of that family unit.”
Family portraits in wooden frames
Additionally, Professor Geoffrey Beattie, Professor of Psychology at Edge Hill University, says that looking at family photographs helps children learn who they are and where they fit into the family. “By displaying photographs of our children at different stages of their lives, we are making a very public statement that we are proud of them,” he adds.
Ready to have a memorable photoshoot with your child? Reach out to me today for more details!