“I’m grateful for you.” -
Telling your child that you're grateful for them helps boost their self-esteem and lets them know that you value them and the things they do.
“I enjoy spending time with you.” -
Telling your child you enjoy their company and appreciate their time teaches them that effort and intention are valuable.
“Have a good day!” -
Wishing your child a good day is a simple yet impactful sentence. It shows them you care at a basic level and want good things for them.
“I’m sorry.” -
Saying "I'm sorry" to your child teaches them that it's okay. When you're at fault for something, it's ok to acknowledge it and offer a genuine apology in return.
“Your practice is paying off.” -
Saying this demonstrates a correlation between practice and results. It lets the child know that what they've been doing is proving useful or successful.
“What did you try hard at today?” -
This is an excellent conversation starter that helps kids think critically about what challenging tasks they worked through that day and the results they had.
“I’m ready to listen.” -
This will teach your child that you're there for them. It suggests that you're in a good headspace and have the time to listen and will do so in a judgment-free way.
“I love you.” -
Every child wants to know they're loved. Ensure you regularly tell your child how much they mean to you and how much you love them.
“You make me smile.” -
It's a simple thing to say yet it will likely make your child very happy. Taking the time to highlight what about them makes you happy will bring a smile to their face.
“That’s a good question.” -
Validate your child and let them know when they ask an insightful or good question. It teaches them that critical thinking is valued and appreciated.