If you have a child who is easily embarrassed, you know how tough it can be to watch them go through life. Every little thing seems to be a big deal and they are always worried about what other people think of them. As a parent, it’s natural to want to protect your child from feeling this way. But the good news is, there are things you can do to help and you’re not alone.

In fact, research shows that up to 25% of kids are highly sensitive to embarrassment. While it may be tempting to tell your child to “toughen up” or “ignore what other people think,” this advice is actually counterproductive. Instead, there are a few things you can do to help your child cope with their embarrassment and build resilience.

1. Talk about embarrassment ahead of time.

If you know that your child might find themselves in a situation where they feel embarrassed, it’s a good idea to talk to them about it beforehand. Letting them know that feeling embarrassed is a normal and inevitable experience that everyone goes through at some point can ease their discomfort and anxiety if it ever does happen. You could also provide examples of times when you might have felt embarrassed and how you handled it. By doing this, you’re giving them a sense of what it’s like to go through such an experience and how to overcome it, empowering them to cope with unexpected situations with confidence and resilience.

2. Help them practice handling embarrassing situations.

Role-playing with your child is an excellent way to help them gain confidence and experience in handling those embarrassingsituations that may arise. By practicing different scenarios and responses, they will be better prepared to deal with these challenges. Not only that, but they will also gain a deeper understanding of their own emotions and reactions. This way, they will feel more at ease and confident, knowing they have a plan for how to face those embarrassing moments head-on.

3. Encourage them to talk about their feelings.

It is essential to encourage your child to talk about their feelings when they are feeling embarrassed since this emotion can be tough for a child to comprehend. When they talk about their emotions, it helps them to process the experience and assists them in comprehending that this is not the end of the world. This method also aids parents in comprehending their child’s feelings, thereby allowing them to offer the required emotional support. By providing a comforting and supportive environment, your child will learn to navigate different emotions, including embarrassment, more efficiently and with increased confidence.

4. Teach Them How to Respond Constructively

Once you’ve acknowledged their feelings, it’s time to teach them how to respond constructively. This means helping them find ways to cope with their embarrassment instead of trying to ignore or bottle up their feelings. For example, you could role-play different scenarios with them or teach them some deep breathing exercises they can do when they’re feeling embarrassed.

5. Help Them Build Confidence

One of the best ways to help your child cope with embarrassment is to help them build confidence. This can be done in a number of ways; for instance, enrolling them in extracurricular activities that they enjoy can help them develop mastery, thus promoting confidence. Likewise, teaching them positive self-talk can encourage them to embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth, which, in turn, fosters resilience and a sense of capability. Lastly, acknowledging their efforts and accomplishments — even those that seem trivial — can help reinforce a growth mindset, nurturing feelings of self-worth and efficacy. Ultimately, the more confident your child feels, the more empowered they’ll be to face social situations with grace and composure, and the less likely they’ll be to succumb to feelings of embarrassment or shame.

If your child is easily embarrassed, don’t despair. It’s natural for children to feel this way as they grow and explore the world. However, there are things you can do to help them cope with this difficult emotion. By discussing possible scenarios that may make them feel embarrassed ahead of time, practicing how to handle embarrassing situations, and encouraging your child to talk about their feelings, you can equip them with tools to navigate through this phase with confidence and ease. This support will go a long way in helping them feel more comfortable and secure in their own skin, and make life a little easier for your little one.