A compliment is an extraordinary thing. It can boost our self-esteem or lift our moods. When you take the time to comment positively on someone's character, it shows that you respect and appreciate them. If you compliment a person's physical appearance, it means you noticed them. And sometimes, a person needs to hear one or the other (or both!).
The most important thing to remember when giving a compliment is that it should come from the heart. Most people can see right through an insincere compliment!
This is a good lesson for kids to learn, so here's an idea to get the family involved:
- Designate a space in the house as the "compliment zone". This can be the fridge or a wall in the living room. If you can't find a spot, then use a glass jar. Have each family member write down one or two things they love and admire about each member of the family on scraps of paper and post those papers in the compliment zone. Encourage your kids to also write down the things they admire about their friends and have them post it to the wall. When their friends come over, they can take their compliments off the wall and keep them. What a nice way to make their day!
