Stand tall; confidence is visible.

When you stand up straight and take a steady breath, something simple happens: the rest of the world sees you differently, and you begin to feel different too. As a parent, I watch that small change make a big difference—shoulders back, chin level, voice calm—and it’s not about looking perfect. It’s about giving your feelings a frame that says, “I can try.” Confidence is something we teach bit by bit, with short phrases, steady presence, and tiny practices that add up.

Words matter more than you might think. A few clear sentences from me can give you something to hold onto when things feel hard. I try to use short, honest phrases that tell you what’s true and what you can do next. They aren’t promises that everything will be easy; they’re reminders that you have what you need to move forward. When you hear “I see you” or “You can try,” your brain gets a little nudge toward calm and action. When I pair those words with a steady tone and a simple posture cue—“Shoulders back, take one breath”—you get a whole tool for facing the moment.

Here are some of the short phrases I use with you; pick one or two that feel right and we’ll practice them together: - “I believe in you,” “Try your best,” “It’s okay to be nervous,” “Let’s take one breath,” “Mistakes help you learn,” “You are not alone,” “You can ask for help,” “Stand tall and try again.”

How we say these things is as important as what we say. I look you in the eye, lower my voice a little so you can hear me clearly, and breathe with you. We practice in small moments—before school, during homework, or the night before something new—so those phrases become familiar helpers instead of surprises. Posture and breath are part of the practice: standing tall isn’t about stiffness, it’s about opening space for calm. Try it in front of a mirror or like you’re about to speak to a friend. Notice how your shoulders and voice feel when you stand taller and breathe evenly. That physical shift sends a message to your brain that you’re ready.

I also want you to know I will mess up saying the right thing sometimes, and that’s okay. Modeling confidence isn’t acting like we never feel scared; it’s showing how we handle the feeling. I’ll say things like, “I’m nervous too, but I’ll try,” or “That didn’t go as planned—what can we learn?” Those words teach you that confidence grows from practice, from being kind to yourself, and from trying again. Take your time finding your favorite phrase. Keep it short, repeat it when you need it, and stand tall while you say it. Over time those small moments build into real, visible confidence.