1. Cultivate confidence from inner values
Instead of just praising your baby's appearance, help your child understand that their value comes from intelligence, effort, and compassion.
Praise the process and effort: Instead of just praising "Daughter is so beautiful", give specific praise to actions such as: "You patiently finished arranging this picture so well!" or "Thank you for knowing how to share toys with friends".
Encourage your child to explore freely: Don't constrain your child into prejudices like "girls must be gentle, like dolls". Let your child comfortably play jigsaw puzzles, play soccer, explore nature or any sport they love to develop confidence and thinking ability.
2. Teach children to recognize and protect personal boundaries
Safety and self-defense need to be formed as soon as your child starts to become aware of their body.
Teaching about private areas (Hand rule/lingerie rule): Teach children to recognize private areas on their bodies that no one is allowed to touch. Allow children to have the right to say "No" if they do not want to hug or kiss others, even if they are relatives.
Encourage your child to express emotions: Create a safe environment for your child to be willing to share when they feel uncomfortable, scared, or insecure. Always listen to and trust what your child tells without dismissing or judging.
3. Building emotional quotient (EQ) and self-reliance early
High emotional intelligence will help girls easily overcome stress and build healthy relationships in the future.
Call emotions with your child: When your child is crying or angry, help them recognize emotions by saying: "You are angry because you haven't made this toy, right?". This helps them learn to master and transform negative emotions.
Cultivate self-reliance through small things: Allow children to choose clothes themselves, eat themselves, and clean toys themselves from the age of 2-3. Proactiveness from small things will form a habit of not relying on others.
4. Example from parents and family cohesion
The relationship between parents and how parents treat each other is the first model that shapes children's views on love and respect.
The father's love: The father plays an extremely important role in shaping the daughter's self-esteem. Respect, listening and sincere love from the father will help the child set high standards for future relationships.
The mother's harmony and sharing: Mother is a close companion, giving children warmth, sophistication and healthy self-care through each daily action.
