Praise about your kids

Over on Weary Parent, Char asked the question What did your kids do right this week?

Sometimes it’s easy to deal with the hard parts of parenting, like whether our kids listen or behave or throw tantrums. I’m a firm believer in praising my kids when they do something wonderful but it can be easy to slip into a habit of nagging them. Thus, here is one thing each of my kids did right this week.

My oldest is not fond of sharing with her sister. She’ll share at school and she’ll share with her friends, but sometimes it’s like pulling teeth to get her to do the same with her sibling. Therefore, both yesterday and so far today, I have been pleased to note that she has been not only including her sister in her games but also going out of her way to find things they can do or play with together. I have to tell you, it is so wonderful to hear them laughing together instead of screaming at each other.

My youngest is the one I joke about having OCD. She can’t handle messes for very long. In the past week she has washed her own high chair tray with a wet cloth, put bits of cut-up paper in the garbage, thrown her diaper in the pail after bath time, and picked up toys in the living room, putting them back where they belong. Thank heavens at least one kid here likes to clean up.

Bonus – My oldest poured me a glass of water and brought it to me earlier because she noticed I hadn’t had any yet.

What did you kids do?