So have you ever been at the grocery store and you see a mom whose kids are just behaving beautifully. And you think, “wow, she is doing a great job with her kids.” But…you don’t say that to her because…that would be awkward. What if that mom is depressed because she doesn’t think she is doing a good job at parenting? Maybe that mom is feeling bad because she yelled at her kids this morning. Or that mom is feeling guilty because she is going out with her mom friends tonight and will have to leave her kids at home with the baby sitter.
What if that mom was thinking all these things and you went up to her and awkwardly said out loud “You are doing a great job with your kids, they are behaving so well!” How would that mom feel? She would probably think, “Well that was a little awkward” but she would also think “I am doing a good job. I don’t need to feel depressed or bad or guilty!” You could change that mom’s thought process with just one awkward compliment. Suddenly is feels better about herself and her mom skills all because of you.
I am challenging myself
So I am challenging myself to say things awkward. To say a compliment out loud to people when I think them. To chase after them if I have to and tell them they look nice, or are doing a good job, or that I can tell they are working hard.
This doesn’t have to be just moms, though I feel that moms have the most negative thoughts going through their heads. And they need those compliments the most. But if I see a teenage boy holding a door for an old lady, I am going to tell him what a polite young man he is. Or if I see a little girl being kind to a friend, I am going to tell her how sweet she is being.
I have been on the receiving end
Now I will admit that I have not been great at saying those awkward compliments out loud. But I have been on the receiving end of these compliments. I had an older lady tell me my boys were so well behaved. Do you know how that made me feel? Great! Because every single day I wonder if I am raising my boys right and if I am being a good enough mom, and this compliment just made me feel like I was doing something right. And this compliment took no money and almost no time, but completely changed my day.
I am challenging you
Okay, so along with challenging me…I am challenging you! Let’s do this together and say it awkward! I want you to give someone (doesn’t have to be a stranger, just someone) a compliment once a week. If you want to start with complimenting your husband or your best friend to get warmed up, that is great too! You will spend no money. You will spend barely any time. But you will be making someone’s day once a week. We can do this! Let’s be awkward together!
Vanessa is a Doctor of Pharmacy who champions natural health. She lives with her husband of 18 years as well as her 12 & 15 year old sons. She aspires to encourage moms on their journey to family wellness through holistic health and essential oils.
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