This week, in our new regular column giving a humorous look on family life, it's all a question of confidence.

When did we become so very...modest?

I was pondering this as my young daughter played tinny pre-recorded tunes in front of me, pink plastic electric guitar in hand.

Congratulating M on her concert, I added that her opening announcement that she was "ready to rock" was a particularly good part.

"I know it was," came her only response.

So at what age is it that we stop telling people we're good at something - and that that's OK?

No one likes a boaster, but there's a difference between revelling in your own greatness and simply recognising you have skills.

It has almost become unfashionable to acknowledge you have a talent.

To admit "Yes I can do XYZ and I'm actually pretty good at it" prompts raised eyebrows and knowing sideways glances.

"Just who do they think they are? How very smug," you can almost hear the other party mutter to themselves.

Yet hand-in-hand with this I am receiving press releases in increasing regularity about courses designed to 'build confidence', help out-of-work adults discover their own worth and inspire teenagers who find school challenging, boring, or are just generally struggling to engage for whatever reason.

Anyone else spotting a link?

It’s no coincidence that many of the most successful people in this world all have something in common – a belief in themself.

Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan is quoted as having said: "You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them."

And multi-billionaire Richard Branson once said: “From a young age, I learned to focus on the things I was good at.”

So why not try this: next time someone congratulates you on what you’ve done – whether that be build something, bake a tasty cake or generally do a good job - instead of shrugging, eyes downcast, and mumbling how someone else could have probably done it better, simply reply: “Thanks, it was good, wasn’t it? I’m really pleased.”

We should all be more three-year-old.