I’ve been on a mission to boost my confidence in parenting—actually, in myself, but let’s focus on the parenting part. I’m learning to tell the world to mind its own business when they suggest my kids have too much screen time or when they spot my daughter in her mermaid costume at the grocery store. Seriously, who cares? I can roll my eyes and laugh if someone grumbles about my kids being a little wild. I’m proud of myself for sticking to my parenting choices despite the judgment from the outside world.
What I didn’t anticipate was how I would react to a genuine compliment. The other day, a new mom friend of mine said I was “an easygoing parent,” and I completely lost it—not in a good way. I spiraled into a panic, convinced she was subtly calling me lazy, or worse, a substandard parent compared to her. My husband, ever patient and maybe a bit amused, helped me see that what she meant was exactly what she said. There was no hidden meaning—just simple words.
So why did I overreact to such a straightforward compliment? Because I struggle to accept them! Whether it’s societal pressure, how we were raised, or the media we consume, many of us find it hard to believe that someone could sincerely say something nice about us or our kids. We downplay compliments: “Oh, they’re angels now, but you should’ve seen them yesterday.” Or we respond with a polite “thank you,” while our minds counter with, “I don’t know whose kids you’re talking about, but they aren’t mine.”
We often misinterpret compliments from friends, family, and even strangers. When someone says our hair looks nice, they mean it! They’re not implying we looked bad yesterday; they’re acknowledging that today, we look great. Instead of overanalyzing or letting negative thoughts creep in, we should just run our fingers through our fabulous hair, smile, and say “thank you.”
The same applies to parenting. If your mom claims your kids were perfect angels during their sleepover, believe her! If someone finds it adorable that your son dressed up like a pirate for a trip to the park, accept that with grace. If an older gentleman compliments your efforts at Target while you’re trying to keep your kids from creating chaos, let his words resonate with you. Breathe in that positivity and use it as fuel to keep on doing your best.
Let’s collectively agree to start believing in compliments, shall we? Let’s embrace the notion that when someone pays us a compliment, they genuinely mean it. We should take pride in ourselves, our choices, our kids, our homes—everything! We are women, remarkable beings filled with beauty, strength, grace, and courage. And if someone recognizes that and feels inclined to compliment us, let’s take it to heart and walk confidently, ladies.
From now on, when someone tells me something nice about myself or my parenting, I’m choosing to accept it at face value, shooing away that pesky negative voice in my head, and simply saying “thank you.” And then I’ll pour myself an extra glass of wine because clearly, I’m nailing this parenting gig.
For more insights on navigating parenthood, you can check out this post on intracervical insemination. If you’re looking for expert advice on home insemination, Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit is a great resource. And for those needing guidance on reproductive health, the CDC’s infertility FAQ is an excellent resource.
Summary:
In this post, I share my journey toward accepting compliments, particularly in relation to parenting. It’s about overcoming the instinct to downplay positive remarks about ourselves and our children. We need to embrace the compliments we receive, recognizing that they are genuine and a reflection of our strengths as mothers and individuals. Let’s choose to appreciate the kind words from others and take pride in our parenting journey.