When you’re lacking confidence, you’re often told to ‘fake it till you make it’. Sometimes it works, but at other times it feels unnatural, making you feel less confident than before.
If you’ve established inner confidence, which goes beyond the surface level, you don’t need to fake it because it’s already there.
There’s no better way to find that inner confidence than looking to the teachings of Islam. During Children’s Mental Health Week, we’re taking a different look at confidence, and establishing ways you can help cultivate confidence in your household.
A strong sense of self within children is important for overall well-being. The teachings and lessons within Islam give us a framework to instil these qualities within our children, in the correct way.
Encouraging Responsibility
Taking responsibility for tasks can boost your confidence. Putting someone in charge of something gives them a strong sense of ownership. Although it puts pressure on the individual, it also helps them excel as they know people depend on them.
You may have noticed it within your household. Delegating small tasks to yours makes them feel important and accomplished. When you’re baking a cake, allowing them to help you stir the batter, makes them feel involved. Watch them shine when you tell them what a good job they’ve done.
Islam encourages individuals to take personal responsibility and accountability. Although children are not held to the same level of accountability as adults, it’s important to establish an awareness of morality and positive behaviour from a young age. Teach children the importance of being aware of their actions, both their accomplishments and their mistakes.
Knowing that they’re able to repent and make amends will make them confident to navigate themselves accordingly.
Teaching Them Kindness
Acts of kindness teach children about their sense of purpose and self-worth. Encouraging them to be kind to others and compassionate per Islamic values helps them understand the importance of it. Helping them understand that, although they are individuals, their collective input into the world has an impact.
The Prophet (saw) said: “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Given what’s going on around us, your children may be more aware of the plight of the Ummah. They may be raising money, protesting, or talking about it with their peers.
This is the perfect opportunity to explain to them the connection we have with others, and the role we play as humans to empower and support others. Alongside this, embed the love for charity within them.
“The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (at-Tirmidhi)
We’ve got the perfect thing to help kick-start their journey. We’re raising funds for our Winter Campaign, helping our families get through the Winter season. You can donate here.
Talk through the reason why you’re donating with your children, and choose how you want to raise funds. You do an activity with your child and get sponsored for it. An example of this would be a Winter Walk!
We’ve got one taking place in Rochdale on the 10th of Feb, which you can sign up for as a family, and encourage each other along the way. Sign up here.
The Right Kind of Positive Affirmations
The words your children are exposed to both in person and on social media wires how they look at the world. Children seek positive affirmations from the people whom they love most – their parents or caregivers. They must be receiving the correct kind.
Share with them positive affirmations from the Qur’an and Hadith to increase their confidence in their self-worth and purpose. In a society where we’re hyperfocused on the superficial and our outer appearances, it’s a great reminder that Allah focuses on our soul, and our actions.
“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.” (Muslim)
The Qur’an and Hadith will warm their hearts, and serve as a reminder of their worth, and importance.
The Prophet (saw) said: “Allah has one hundred parts of mercy. In one part, the creation is shown mercy between the jinn and humankind, the animals, and the insects. As a result, they share in mutual mercy. Ninety-nine parts of mercy are reserved for the Day of Judgment.” (Muslim)
Allah has created us all unique, and equal. Remind them they are loved dearly by Allah, and His Love for them is unmeasurable and endless.
A Holistic Approach
Confidence, like anything, is beneficial in moderation. Using an Islamic framework allows you to implement it correctly. Allowing your child to understand their self-worth, purpose, and unique greatness helps improve their mental health. It doesn’t only impact their childhood, but their later years.
Setting that foundation from a young age will allow them to have a strong sense of self both in their worldly life and in their deen. Establishing the blueprint only allows for an easier journey.
May Allah protect the well-being of your children, increase their success in this life and the Hereafter, protect them from harm, and shower an abundance of His Love and Mercy on them.