Leave children some stories about themselves that do not end with everyone laughing at them.

Family stories teach a child what kind of person they are. If every retold anecdote is a small comedy at their expense, they learn that being memorable and being ridiculous are the same thing. The affection in the laughter is genuine, and the child still counts the pattern. What they hear is which version of them the family enjoys most.

Keep a few stories in circulation where the child is brave, or funny on purpose, or kind when nobody asked. Tell those at the table too. A child who has heard themselves described well has something to stand on later.