End each day by asking this question: “What made you feel proud today?”
They did a study on this with parents asking their kids this for 7 days in a row before going to bed. When kids pause to reflect on their own proud moments of the day, something incredible happens. Their brain releases dopamine—that “feel-good” boost - that encourages them to keep choosing that thing that led to feeling proud: whether it was kindness... courage... persistence.
And here’s the real beauty of it: instead of only relying on praise from their parents, they start to build an inner voice that says, “I have value”.... A voice of truth that also protects against future self-doubt.
That kind of confidence sticks. It even helps settle anxious hearts at night.
Of course, your loving & affirming words still matter deeply—but this adds something special. It helps them believe it for themselves.
It’s a lot like gratitude... when you say it out loud, you start to believe it.
So tonight, try it—and maybe answer it for yourself too.
What made you feel proud today?