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

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:

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

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