What do you do when your child’s confidence starts to look like bragging? Today’s tricky parenting question comes from Joanna, whose 12-year-old daughter is bright, kind, and wonderfully self-assured—but sometimes her enthusiasm feels a little too much.

In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack how to nurture confidence while gently guiding kids toward humility and social awareness. You’ll hear practical ways to help your child celebrate others, avoid “showing off,” and learn through natural experiences—without squashing their spirit.

KEY POINTS:
Why confidence in tweens is precious (and why most kids lose it)
The difference between being “interesting” vs. being “interested”
Teaching kids to be “people builders” instead of show-offs
The power of teachable moments over lectures
How unconditional love helps kids learn from their own mistakes

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
 “Confidence is precious. We don’t want to dampen it—but we can guide kids to use it in ways that lift others up.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Submit your tricky question: happyfamilies.com.au/podcasts

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
Celebrate your child’s confidence—don’t squash it.
Encourage them to notice and cheer for others’ successes.
Use quiet, reflective conversations after social moments as teaching opportunities.
Frame discussions around being a good friend and including others.
Be the “soft place to land” when friendships hit bumps.

What do you do when your child&rsquo;s confidence starts to look like bragging? Today&rsquo;s tricky parenting question comes from Joanna, whose 12-year-old daughter is bright, kind, and wonderfully self-assured&mdash;but sometimes her enthusiasm feels a little too much.
In this episode, Justin and Kylie unpack how to nurture confidence while gently guiding kids toward humility and social awareness. You&rsquo;ll hear practical ways to help your child celebrate others, avoid &ldquo;showing off,&rdquo; and learn through natural experiences&mdash;without squashing their spirit.
KEY POINTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why confidence in tweens is precious (and why most kids lose it)</li>
<li aria-level="1">The difference between being &ldquo;interesting&rdquo; vs. being &ldquo;interested&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Teaching kids to be &ldquo;people builders&rdquo; instead of show-offs</li>
<li aria-level="1">The power of teachable moments over lectures</li>
<li aria-level="1">How unconditional love helps kids learn from their own mistakes</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE: &ldquo;Confidence is precious. We don&rsquo;t want to dampen it&mdash;but we can guide kids to use it in ways that lift others up.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Submit your tricky question: <a href="happyfamilies.com.au/podcasts">happyfamilies.com.au/podcasts</a></li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Celebrate your child&rsquo;s confidence&mdash;don&rsquo;t squash it.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Encourage them to notice and cheer for others&rsquo; successes.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Use quiet, reflective conversations after social moments as teaching opportunities.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Frame discussions around being a good friend and including others.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Be the &ldquo;soft place to land&rdquo; when friendships hit bumps.</li>
</ol>

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Confident or Showing Off? How to Help Kids Stay Humble Without Crushing Their Spirit

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/02e4232a-12db-4fc2-8f2b-b34700c392f4/transcript