As parents, we have a significant opportunity to impact our children’s self-esteem and self-confidence daily. Whether we like it or not, we are our children’s first teachers, offering lessons that reach their minds and hearts. The words and phrases you say to your child daily can affect how happy and confident they become. While this can be an overwhelming task for even the best among us, it isn’t something to lose sleep over. There are many ways we can build our children up to be the most fulfilled, content version of themselves they can be.

As the saying goes, children are like sponges. They absorb everything, positive or negative, true or false, good or bad. They learn by taking in what they are exposed to and interacting with their surroundings. Children soak everything up . . . words they hear and all. I firmly believe that from infancy on, what we say to our babies, toddlers, kids, or teenagers matters. You can say countless phrases to your child daily to help them flourish as self-assured, secure individuals.

Phrases to Say to Your Child Every Day

Here are some phrases to say to your child every day to help them grow in a positive direction:

I love you.

You are so loved.

I cherish you.

You fill my heart with great joy.

I am in awe of the person you are.

You are treasured beyond all measure.

I appreciate you for being you.

You are infinitely valuable.

I admire you.

You are the only you on this planet. There is no one else exactly like you. That is an amazing thing.

I commend you for your perseverance. Even when it’s hard, I see you trying.

You are strong.

I love watching you go for what you want.

You are courageous.

I believe in you.

You are capable.

I hear you. I believe what you are saying, and I trust you.

You are incredible.

I see your effort and am proud of you for it.

You are such a great helper.

I noticed you being a caring friend. I hope you always know how much that means to others.

You are such a special part of our family.

I am so grateful to be your parent.

You make a difference in this world.

You make this world a brighter place.

I am a better person because of you.

You make me want to do better and be a better person every day.

I am so happy to see you be yourself.

You will always be enough.

I will always be on your team.

You are intelligent, wise, and bright.

I trust your judgment.

You are who you are meant to be.

I am so proud of you.

You are beautiful inside and out.

I love spending time with you every day.

You inspire me with your creativity.

I admire how determined you are.

Your curiosity about the world is a special gift.

I am honored to be by your side on this journey.

You have many feelings that are valid. Adults do, too. I can help you work through them.

I am here if you want to talk. Or if you need a hug. If you need space, that is okay, too.

You are my favorite person in the world.

I want you to know it is okay to say no. It is okay to stand up for yourself.

You are the best person to make decisions for yourself.

I will always be here for you. I will keep you safe as best as I can.

You are loved and adored just the way you are.

I am here to guide you.

You are worthy.

I support you, and I always will.

Your opinion is valid and essential.

I love hearing your thoughts and ideas.

You are so much fun to be with.

Thank you for spending time with me.

Your dreams are a beautiful thing.

It’s okay to make mistakes. Everyone sometimes does.

Your personal best is enough.

I am so glad that you are exactly who you are.

Your kind and pure heart is a gift to many.

You make every day unique.

I am so lucky to call you my child.

Nobody could ever replace you.

Thank you for being you.

Nothing will ever change how much I love you.

Though every parent and every child (and every parent-child dynamic) are different, we can probably all agree that we want the best for our little ones. The words we say to our children influence their inner dialogues, which will stick with them throughout their lives. Let’s make it a point to say what they need to hear to help them grow happy and healthy.