Pass it on...

 You'll have to excuse me while I hop up on my soapbox for a little bit.... (you have been warned!)

I went to Canadian Tire last week with all the kids. We were in the self-checkout line and noticed one of the cashiers staring at me.  I figured it was the usual: "Holy Crap, she's got four kids" stare and didn't think much of it.  Then she came over to me and said:  "Your children are so well behaved - good for you!"

I promptly looked behind me, and then to both sides before I realized she was talking to me.  And then I fell over..... (well, not really - but I was pretty darn close!)

"Oh," I stammered, "Thank-you very much!"

As I walked out of the store with a big smile on my face, I realized how good it made me feel to have someone compliment me on my kids.  Later that night I was tossing and turning, and I got to thinking about how rare it is for parents to compliment other parents on their children or on their parenting ability.

We're very quick to judge other parents....

"They let their kids eat WHAT?"


"They let their kids do WHAT?"


"I can't believe the let them leave the house wearing that!"

....but very rarely do we acknowledge other parents successes and achievements as parents.  Yet this simple act can make all the difference.

It's much, much easier to tear someone down, criticize and judge then it is to praise or compliment someone.  In fact, in today's society I think we've almost become a culture of vultures - just waiting for someone to screw up so we can declare proudly:  "I told you so!!"

So next time you're out and about and see a parent doing something right, or see kids behaving nicely  (and trust me, you will see it!) make it a point to tell them that they're doing a good job. You have no idea how much it will mean to them......