PLUS: Free Downloadable and Printable List of Positive Affirmations For Babies
Daily positive affirmations have taken off as the newest, hottest trend in wellness and mental health circles. They began as a therapeutic practice for adults, and are now gaining popularity as an empowering activity for children. As babies and toddlers learn to speak, parents are wondering when the appropriate time is to begin a daily positive affirmation practice. Read on to discover what age is the ideal age to begin using positive affirmations for kids.
What are positive affirmations?
Affirmations are like positive mantras: statements that boldly and repeatedly affirm a loving, kind, and confident belief. They often come in the form of “I am” sentences, such as I am loved, I am abundant, and I am capable of doing hard things. Sometimes, they do not use the self-affirming “I am” but still capture an empowering or healing message such as My finances improve beyond my wildest dreams, and It’s okay to feel my feelings.
Why are positive affirmations so popular?
While it may seem silly to simply speak words into the mirror or write them onto paper and expect a tangible, concrete transformation, these practices have a powerful effect on the mind and identity - perhaps more powerful than we have yet to discover. Language is the pillar of human civilization, and our choice of words matters. How we speak about ourselves - whether out loud or in our heads - is the story we are telling about ourselves. Over time, words repeated often enough become internalized and form the basic foundation of our identity. Once we affirm our own negative, limiting beliefs strongly enough, it no longer matters what anyone else says or does; we stay rooted in our disempowering beliefs and live with low self-esteem. This lack of self-confidence can get in the way of careers, romance, health, creativity, and pretty much every aspect of life.
I am positive affirmations are so popular because they bring harmony to the imbalance in how we tend to perceive ourselves. Many people - perhaps you are one of them - tend to only hold on to critical comments and forget or dismiss compliments. Low self-esteem gives more weight to negative comments, so positive affirmations for self-confidence are a way to recalibrate and compensate for this overly harsh critic living rent-free in our heads.
From mental health awareness to new age spirituality, positive affirmations are the 21st century version of casting spells that heal and uplift. Positive affirmations are an accessible, personalizable, quick, and easy way to boost confidence and overcome limiting beliefs that hold us back in achieving our highest potential and fulfilling our highest purpose.
At what age should I begin to use positive affirmations with my child?
This question is totally valid, but comes with a bit of a trick answer. Even if your baby can’t talk yet, or your toddler’s vocabulary is limited, the practice of using positive affirmations should be viewed as integral to the culture in the family home. The best way to integrate daily positive affirmations for kids is to practice it yourself and to fill your home with empowering, loving words. An important aspect to consider with positive affirmations is the intention behind them. A baby who doesn’t understand words will still understand the feeling of love pouring out of you as you look at them and affirm them. And as they grow up and get a better grasp of language, the practice of loving self-talk will already be firmly rooted as a habit in the home. We suggest that you not only view positive affirmations as a one-off daily activity but to fully embrace a new way of thinking, speaking, and living.
Summary
Positive affirmations are empowering statements intended to spread love, boost confidence, call in a better future, and overcome limiting beliefs. Although they appear humble and inconsequential, words have incredible potential for shaping beliefs, identity, and life goals. If you would like to gift your child a positive affirmation practice, embrace the practice in the whole home, beginning with yourself. Loving self-talk will become a family tradition, a tangible energy in the home, and eventually a seed planted in the heart of your babes. Nobody is too young to be told they are enough, they are loved, and they are capable. Nor is anybody too old! So make daily positive affirmations for self-worth a stepping stone towards an even bigger, all-embracing healing atmosphere in your home for your children to grow up into confident, secure, loving adults.
Bishy Bishy Bash Positive Affirmation Friends are 100% cotton knit dolls that have been safety certified for all ages. They can be snuggle buddies in the crib or daycare companions. The deck of positive affirmation cards for kids that comes with each doll is the perfect way to introduce motivational positive affirmations for self-love and confidence to your child’s daily routine by pairing them with story time or bedtime.
Click here for a free downloadable and printable list of positive affirmations for parents for you to keep by your baby’s crib.
