I’ve been trying to encourage my kids more, but sometimes it feels like my praise just goes in one ear and out the other. Anyone have tips on how to make compliments really stick and feel special to them? Looking for ideas beyond just saying “good job” all the time.
I’ve been thinking about this too. My 5-year-old sometimes lights up when I praise them, but other times they don’t seem to care. I tried making a sticker chart for completed chores, but it only worked for a week.
I’m curious about how other parents handle this. Do you find that your kids respond better to verbal praise or something more tangible? And how do you keep it fresh so it doesn’t lose its impact over time?
One thing that’s worked a bit for us is praising effort rather than results. Like when my kid struggles with a puzzle but keeps trying, I’ll point that out. But I’m still figuring out how to make it really meaningful. Any other ideas?
Recently, I started using a praise jar with my kid. We write down specific things we’re proud of on slips of paper and add them to the jar. At dinner, we pick a few to read aloud. It’s become a fun ritual that makes praise more tangible and memorable. My child even started adding notes about things they noticed me doing well. It’s cool to see how this simple activity has shifted our focus to noticing and appreciating each other’s efforts throughout the day.
I’ve found that asking questions about what they did can make praise more meaningful. When my daughter finishes a drawing, I ask her what her favorite part is or why she chose those colors. This prompts her to explain her work and feel proud of her choices. With my son, I keep an eye out for extra effort, even if the outcome isn’t perfect, and I mention that I appreciated his perseverance. At dinner, we have a family tradition where each of us shares one thing we’re proud of. These small moments help the kids recognize their efforts and make praise feel personal and sincere.
I’ve been trying to catch my kids doing good stuff and mention it right away. Like noticing when they clean up without being asked.
It seems to work better than generic praise. They perk up more when I point out specific things they did well.
When I first dealt with this, I found that making praise specific really helped. Instead of just saying ‘good job,’ I pointed out what exactly caught my attention, like how neatly the towel was folded. This made the praise feel more genuine. I also recognized when my kids took on a challenge, even if the result wasn’t perfect. Sharing these moments with other family members sometimes added that extra layer of meaning. There were days when a simple note left in their lunchbox would brighten their day. These small touches gradually encouraged them to see the value in their efforts. It’s all about finding little ways to make the everyday effort feel recognized. 