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Shift their mindset.
By Lisa Petsinis — Last updated on Nov 30, 2022
The words you choose matter a lot in parenting. Your kids are impressionable, and language (words) embodies thought, which is why choosing the right words of encouragement matters.
As a parent, you want your kids to be the best they can be, to feel good about themselves, to live fulfilling lives, and, ultimately, be happy children that become happy adults.
And since your children are looking to you for words of encouragement and to be a role model, giving them positive affirmations and inspirational quotes to draw from when they're in uncertain situations can be incredibly empowering.
When they hear your words, their minds open to new possibilities. This starts when your kids are very young and continues until their brains are fully developed at about age 25. So, when you want to be a good parent and give your kids the best possible chance of growing into happy, healthy adults, fostering a growth mindset is key.
Laying a foundation before your child reaches his or her teenage years is especially important because that’s when they’re exploring who they are, building their self-esteem, and facing numerous obstacles. What you say to them can make the difference between them getting discouraged and feeling empowered to overcome challenges.
One way to inspire your kids and build their resilience at the same time is to share thought-provoking stories, sayings of hope, or inspirational quotes. They’ll feel good about themselves, realize they aren’t alone, and be open to the rich possibilities life has to offer.
And the good news is there are a ton of inspirational quotes and encouraging words for kids you can use to better your parenting skills and help your kids develop a positive mindset and respect to draw from, no matter the circumstance.
Positive words of encouragement for kids
1. I know you can do it.
2. You are creative.
3. You are capable.
4. You are deserving.
5. You can say no.
6. You are kind.
7. You make a difference.
8. You can change your mind.
9. Your ideas matter.
10. What do you think?
11. Your ideas are interesting.
12. Thank you for your help.
13. I'm listening.
14. I'm proud of you.
15. You inspire me.
16. You're a good brother / sister.
17. I love you.
18. Thank you.
Encouraging phrases for kids to feel loved
19. You are loved.
20. You make me smile.
21. My world is better with you in it.
22. You are a good friend.
23. I believe in you.
24. You are valuable.
25. I enjoy your company.
26. I'm glad you're here.
27. I'm grateful to have you in my life.
Photo: Sparklestroke and sketchify via Canva
Words of encouragement for kids who had a bad day
28. You are strong.
29. You are more than what's happening to you right now.
30. You are more than your emotions.
31. It's OK to be imperfect, so am I.
32. You can learn from your mistakes.
33. You can ask for help.
34. Growing is hard work.
35. This is just one day of your whole life.
36. We'll get through this together.
37. I will help you.
38. I'm on your side.
49. I admire your determination.
40. You are not alone.
Motivating and encouraging quotes for kids
41. “Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine." — Roy T. Bennett
42. “Never give up, for that is the place and time that the tide will turn.” — Harriet Beecher Stowe
43. “If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” — Roald Dahl
44. “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have.” — Jim Rohn
45. “Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” — Albert Einstein
46. “Winning doesn’t mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve done before.” — Bonnie Blair
47. “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney
48. “No one is perfect … that’s why pencils have erasers.” — Wolfgang Riebe
49. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi
50. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu
51. “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it — then I can achieve it.” — Muhammad Ali
52. “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it ‘the present.’” — Alice Morse Earle
53. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the one who’ll decide where to go…” — Dr. Seuss
54. “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.” — Helen Keller
55. “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.” — Bethany Hamilton
56. “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky
57. “Not until we are lost … do we begin to find ourselves…” — Henry David Thoreau
58. “The only journey is the one within.” — Rainer Maria Rilke
59. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” — Mary Anne Radmacher
60. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
61. “Argue for your limitations and sure enough they’re yours.” — Richard Bach
62. “Only the truth of who you are, if realized, will set you free.” — Eckhart Tolle
63. “The most important things in life cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
64. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined…” — Henry David Thoreau
65. “People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Share inspiring messages like these with your children. Notice how hearing them shifts the way they think about their circumstances, boosts their confidence, and encourages them to believe in themselves and their futures.
Keep these inspirational quotes handy, and inspire yourself, too.
More for You:
Lisa Petsinis is a certified life coach who works with dedicated moms that want to give their best to their families and create a life they’ll love. Visit her website or contact her for a free empowerment call, and jumpstart the changes you want in your life, beginning today.