|
Growing up, I received very little praise, regarding anything. I would work really hard in school, and get great grades, but no positive acknowledgement from my parents. After awhile, I stopped trying so hard, received average grades. Why did it matter how hard I tried, no one seemed to care? No one taught me that trying hard would help me in the future. To me, now raising my children, praise seems important. They learn from the positive reinforcement, not only how to behave, but also to feel good about themselves. I try not to praise too much, or it will become meaningless to them. Everything in moderation.
To this day, I still have a hard time taking praise. I blush, feel embarrassed, and sometimes even point out a negative thing to go against the praise. Is that because I did not grow up receiving it? because my mother always had something negative to say to me? I don't know. But I am working on taking the praise better and not being so negative. I hope I am teaching my children to do the same.
__________________
"Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras
|