Sometimes when I am pleased with what a child has done, and I say something to encourage them, I use a tone of voice that is (apparently) similar to when I’m upset with them.   So for the first few seconds of my excited encouragement they fear that I am about to reprimand them. This is not good.

I thought this might be true of other Dads, so:

Dad’s, when you are expressing your happiness with what a child has done, don’t start with their name, start with the encouraging word.

For example, don’t say, “Adelyn! I’m very glad to see you help Foster like that!”

Instead, say, “I’m very glad to see you help Foster like that, Adelyn!”

Do any of you other parents experience this?

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