I’ve been trying to be more intentional about praising my kids, but I feel like I’m always saying the same things. Can anyone share some specific phrases or ways they verbally praise their children? I’d love to hear some real-life examples of what works for you. Thanks!
My approach is pretty simple - I try to make praise fun and relatable for my kid. Like when they finished a tricky math problem, I said ‘High five, math wizard! You cracked the code!’ It got a laugh and made them feel proud.
I also point out specific things, like ‘You found such creative ways to sort your Legos!’ or ‘Wow, you remembered to pack your lunch without me reminding you!’
Honestly, I’m still learning what works best. It’s a bit of trial and error to find phrases that resonate with your own child.
I’ve found specific praise works well. ‘You figured out that puzzle fast!’ or ‘Nice job remembering to hang up your backpack!’
It’s about noticing the little wins. My kids seem to appreciate that more than generic ‘good job’ comments.
With my kids, I’ve found that being specific about what they did well really makes a difference.
For example, when one child cleaned the room without being asked, I said ‘Wow, you organized your bookshelf so neatly! That must have taken time and effort.’
For the child learning to tie shoes, I mentioned, ‘You kept trying even when it was tricky. That shows real determination!’
I try to focus on their actions and choices rather than just saying ‘good job.’ It seems to make them more excited to keep improving.
Sometimes I ask how they feel about what they did, which gets them thinking about their own progress.
I remember when my kids were younger, I struggled with praise too. What worked for us was catching them in the act and commenting on it right away. ‘You’re working so hard on that puzzle!’ or ‘I noticed you helped your sister without being asked.’
Over time, I started to mix it up. Sometimes I’d say, ‘How do you feel about finishing that book?’ It got them thinking about their own accomplishments. Other times, I’d just give a thumbs up or a high five - actions speak volumes too.
As for frequency, I found a balance. Too much praise can feel insincere, but acknowledging effort regularly helps. When they were learning something new, I’d comment on their persistence. ‘You kept trying even when it was tough!’ That seemed to encourage them to stick with challenges. 
I’m still figuring out how to praise my 5-year-old effectively. Sometimes I say things like ‘You did it!’ or ‘Great job!’ but I worry it’s not specific enough.
I’ve tried pointing out when they stack blocks really high or zip up their jacket on the first try. Their face lights up when I notice those little things.
What about praising effort? My kid gets frustrated easily with new tasks. Any tips on encouraging them to keep trying without making it sound fake?
Also, how often do you praise? I don’t want to overdo it, but I also want them to feel good about their accomplishments.