Step-by-Step - Positive Affirmations Activity for you and your teen daugther

‍

Positive affirmations have been around for many years and can greatly affect how we think and feel about ourselves. Doing this simple activity with your daughter can help build her confidence and make her feel good about herself. By creating and practicing affirmations together, you can help her see how strong and capable she really is and support her in building a positive mindset.

‍

Step 1: Introduction and Purpose

• Objective: Start by explaining the purpose of the activity to your daughter. Let her know that positive affirmations are powerful statements that can help boost  self-esteem, build self-confidence, and promote a positive outlook on  life. Explain that reading and repeating these affirmations regularly can help reprogram the mind to focus on strengths and positive qualities.
• Conversation Starter: Share your own experience or understanding of positive affirmations. You could say, "I've learned that the things we say to ourselves can really shape how we feel and act. I thought it would be nice for us to create some positive affirmations together that we can use every     day."

Step 2: Brainstorming Affirmations

• Sit Together  and Brainstorm: Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can sit together without distractions. Grab some paper and pens or use a whiteboard if you have one.
• Affirmation Categories: Suggest a few categories to help brainstorm ideas. These can include affirmations about:
   
  • Self-worth: “I am worthy of love and respect.”
   
  • Capability: “I am capable of achieving my goals.”
   
  • Progress: “I am proud of the progress I’ve made.”
   
  • Resilience: “I am strong and can handle challenges.”
   
  • Gratitude: “I am grateful for the support I have.”
 
• Encourage Personalization: Encourage your daughter to create affirmations that resonate with her personally. These could be related to her interests, goals, or any challenges she’s facing. For example, if she's working on time management, she might choose, “I am in control of my time.”
• Examples for Guidance: Offer some initial examples to get started and then encourage her to add her own:
   
  • “I am talented and creative.”
   
  • “I am learning and growing every day.”
   
  • “I trust myself to make good decisions.”

Step 3: Writing Down Affirmations

• Select and Write: After brainstorming, ask your daughter to select 5-10 affirmations that she feels strongly about. Write these down neatly on colorful cards, sticky notes, or a dedicated journal.
• Artistic Touch: Make this a creative activity by decorating the affirmations with drawings, stickers, or colors. This can make the affirmations visually appealing and more     engaging for her.

Step 4: Placing Affirmations in Visible Locations

• Identify Key Spots: Together, identify places where she spends a lot of time. Common locations could be:
   
  • Mirror: So she sees them first thing in the morning and before bed.
   
  • Desk: To inspire her while studying or doing homework.
   
  • Phone/Laptop Background: Use digital affirmations as a background or wallpaper.
   
  • Notebook/Planner: Add a few affirmations inside her school notebook or planner.
 
• Create Reminders: Use sticky notes or set up phone reminders that pop up with an affirmation during the day.

Step 5: Daily Practice and Engagement Gratitude

• Morning Routine: Encourage her to make reading affirmations a part of her morning routine. Suggest reading them out loud while looking in the mirror to reinforce the messages.
• Mom-Daughter Time: Set aside a few minutes each day (or a few times a week) where both of you can read affirmations together. This can be during breakfast, in the car, or before bed.
• Affirmations Check-In: Ask her how reading the affirmations makes her feel. Share how it makes you feel as well. This keeps the lines of communication open and reinforces the positive impact of the activity.

Step 6: Reflection and Adjustment

• Regular Check-Ins: Every few weeks, have a check-in session to discuss how the affirmations are impacting her. Ask questions like:
   
  • “How do you feel after reading your affirmations?”
   
  • “Do you notice any difference in how you think or feel?”
 
• Update Affirmations: Encourage her to update the list as her goals, feelings, or needs change. This could be done monthly or whenever she feels the need to add or change something.
• Celebrate Progress: Recognize and celebrate the progress, no matter how small. Acknowledge her efforts and any positive changes you’ve noticed.

Step 7: Incorporate Affirmations into Broader Conversations

• Use Affirmations in Dialogue: Whenever possible, weave affirmations into everyday conversations. For instance, if she’s worried about a test, remind her of affirmations like, “You are capable of     achieving your goals.” This reinforces the practice and makes affirmations     a natural part of her self-talk.
• Encourage Sharing: If she feels comfortable, encourage her to share her affirmations with friends or family. This can build a supportive community around the positive messages she’s embracing.

• Express Gratitude: Thank your daughter for participating and express how much you value the time spent together. Share your feelings on how this activity benefits you both.
• Continue the Practice: Encourage making affirmations a lifelong habit. Emphasize that it’s okay if some days are easier than others, and the key is consistency and self-compassion.

Download the step-by-step guide in how to perform Positive Affirmations with your teen daughter.

‍

‍