10 Ways to Turn Your Kids' Criticisms into Compliments

Is your family life filled with kids criticizing each other? Do they whine and blame to get each other in trouble? There is a better way. Let's find out how to turn their criticisms into compliments.

The family meeting includes rounds of compliments.

Each member praises every other member. This means your child needs to remember a positive action each member did during the past week.

The one giving the compliment ends by praising him/herself. This self esteem booster sets the family on a positive path because everybody loves an honest compliment.

To help your children find the good in each family member, discuss these 10 sample compliments:

1. Mom, I like how you hug me when I come home from school.
2. Dad, I like when you laugh at my jokes.
3. Mom, I like when you hold my hand.
4. Dad, I like when you wrestle with me.
5. Mom, I the fact that you drive me to gymnastics.
6. Dad, I like how you read to me at bedtime.
7. Mom, I like how you put something special in my school lunch.
8. Dad, I like when you take me swimming.
9. Mom, I like how you listen to my problems.
10. Dad, thank you for helping me build my fort.

Consider These Action Steps:

Read and discuss the compliments to your kids.

Get your children to give you a compliment at bedtime.The next day ask your children to tell every other member a compliment. This can be done at dinnertime.

Share your results. We're listening.

Jean Tracy, MSS blogs about character, parenting, and family solutions ~ her website ~  www.KidsDiscuss.com