Is too much praise a bad thing?

[spidermama]

I sometimes think I do too much praising. After a while it has no effect. Children want realistic responses.

But I find it hard, when they come up and show me another splodgy painting, to say, 'Hmmm, yeah'. So I say, robotically, 'Lovely darling!' But I'm such a phoney!!

[lemonice]

I used to say something like what is your favourite colour or i love your green did you mix it up yourself, or I like the way you've painted the leaves or something rather than lovely or great obviously adjuct according to the age of the child.

I hink it's important to save the wonderfuls for when you are genuinely in wonder, this technique works right up to adult hood and for anything from hair styles to university dissertations.

[Iklboo]

I agree. Everything I used to show to my folks got a "That's smashing love" or "that's brilliant". I got so cynical I used to deliberately show them something that was utter crap - and still got the same response. I gave up showing them anything in the end.

[spidermama]

Lol Ikboo. I suspect my ds has been doing that.