10 Ways to Turn Parents' Criticisms into Compliments

Do you hear too many parents criticize their kids? Do their kids smile, blush, or frown? How would you like to be one of their children? Today, let's learn how to turn our criticisms into compliments.

Criticism is like the needle popping a balloon. It stabs your feelings and deflates your spirit. A compliment is like a gentle breeze. It lifts your spirit and moves you forward.

Family Meeting compliments are gentle breezes. They lift the spirits of each member and move them forward. Why? Because  being told that a good deed was seen and appreciated lifts the heart and makes it smile.

Avoid criticisms like:

"You should do better.

"Why can't you do anything right?

"Quit annoying me!"

To build the habit of looking for the good in your child, consider giving compliments like:

Lindsey, I appreciated how hard you worked on your spelling.

Jordan, I'm pleased you chewed with your mouth closed at dinner tonight.

Thank you, Jessica, for decorating Jeff's beautiful birthday table.

Paula, I'm pleased how you said only nice things when the girls were gossiping.

Daniela, I smiled when you asked the new neighbor girl to play.

Ethan, you remembered to say "Thank you" when Grandma gave you a cookie.

Allyssa, I saw you help your brother when he fell down.

Cory, you sang your solo so well at the school play.

Jill, you have a creative imagination and the story you wrote proved it.

Andy, I liked how patient you were when we waited in line yesterday.

Parents, can you see how criticisms devastate and compliments motivate?

Use the gentle breeze of your family meeting compliments to lift up your children's spirits and move them forward.

One more thing, kids see through phony words. Make sure all your compliments are honest.

Consider these action steps ~

Give each child a compliment at least once a day.

Notice each child's reaction.

Ask your children to give you a compliment too.

Our next blog will show how to teach your kids how to make family commitments.

Be sure to watch for it.

What difference have you noticed when criticising or complimenting your children?

Blogging about character, parenting, and family solutions ~ Jean Tracy at www.KidsDiscuss.com