Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Suffering From High Self-Esteem..

So I've always been a bit of a "praiser" if you will.
I compliment freely. I point out things I find unique or outstanding in human beings in general. Strangers even.
The checker at the grocery store-- the cable guy.
I enjoy letting people know they are admired for anything from a real-life skill.. to a good pair of earrings.
So yeah... I praise.
Especially my kids. I just like em. I think they're great. I think they are funny and interesting and kind and good.
Whether or not they actually are.. dunno.
I just know I think they are.. can't help it..and let them know it.
Now I have heard the argument against "too much" praise.. but those imaginary people trying to make us follow their life rules, aren't the boss of me.. and I decided a long time ago I wasn't ever going to NOT say something positive, or hold back on any form of approval, for anyone. Especially, my kids.
Having said that.. I can admit when there might be, a bit of a glitch in the system.
Case in point: If ya haven't noticed, I find much to adore in my one and only daughter. Not only is she my youngest.. and last child-- she is a GIRL.
Therefore.. much like my kids before her.. I am constantly pointing out her adorable-ness, to pretty much anyone who will listen, but most often.. to her personally.
In my defense.. she IS darling. She IS hilarious and ridiculously fun. I mean, do I really have a choice in the matter?
I hadn't realized how much MORE she obviously hears the compliments aimed at her, as opposed to her brothers.. until yesterday when she casually asked,
"Mom.. am I really, really, really, really, really, really.. special?"
"Yes".. I answered.. "you are really, really, really, really, really, REALLY special."
To which she concluded..
"And the boys are just.. plain, special?"

10 comments:

Jocelin said...

She's going to grow up strong and will never date a loser. Good work, mom!

Emma Jo said...

Heh, that is really really really really really really funny. I like validators, they's good people.

Ronda said...

So cute! Kids can never get enough praise - good job! :)

Clarice said...

I'm right there with ya that I don't think there is such a thing as too much praise when it comes to your kids. Now I say that knowing that most of the time when Bailey is told she is cute she says I know, I'm okay with that. I think in this day and age when nothing seems to be quite good enough, it is a good thing to have a high self esteem!!

Jana said...

She is cute and she deserves the praise!! :)

Abby said...

I am actually LOLing, so I can appropriately use "LOL."
I truly appreciate your ability to praise. I have been the recipient, and it makes me feel cool to know that someone as cool as you thinks there's something neat about me!
You don't lie--they deserve all that praise. And rest assured in knowing she is learning from her mom to pay the praise forward!

Abby said...

p.s. I think high self esteem is probably the antidote for catty girl behavior later. So well done in advance.

Heather Zwygart said...

I need to take lessons for you I tend to feel it is m job to correct and I forget the praise... I need praise class 101 from Katy!!

Amy Lynn said...

I feel the exact same way. If my kids weren't so smart and cute and funny and adorable then I wouldn't say it. But they are. What is a mom to do? And having an ONLY girl...tough business. Having a cute, smart, really funny, really adorable girl? Even tougher. Bring on the cute. I'm not going to worry one minute about it...it must be celebrated!

Suzie Petunia said...

I think it was President Benson who said that withholding praise is a form of pride (the bad kind). So showering your lovies with praise is good. Prophet said so.

And I know they deserve all of it. How could they not? They are Oscarson offspring!