I’ve been making a conscious effort to feel more confident in my parenting. More confident in myself, really, but I’m particularly focusing on how I parent—like telling anyone who judges my kids for their screen time or their choice of unicorn pajamas at the grocery store to take a hike. Seriously, I’m over it. I can easily roll my eyes and move on if someone whispers about my kids’ behavior. I’m proud of myself for standing tall in my parenting decisions despite any negative external opinions.
What caught me off guard, though, was how I reacted to a simple compliment.
A newer mom friend, Lisa, told me the other day that I’m “a laid-back parent.” Instead of feeling flattered, I totally lost it—not in a good way. I spiraled, convinced she was secretly suggesting I’m lazy or not as good a parent as she is. My husband, calmly amused, reassured me that she meant exactly what she said—there was no hidden meaning. Just plain, simple praise.
So why did I react so strongly to such a straightforward statement? Because, honestly, I struggle with accepting compliments.
Maybe it’s societal pressure, how we were raised, or the unrealistic portrayals we see on TV, but so many of us can’t wrap our heads around the idea that someone would genuinely compliment us or our children. We downplay it. “Oh, they’re great now, but you should’ve seen them ten minutes ago.” Or we say “thank you,” while mentally wondering, “What kid are you talking about? Certainly not mine!”
I think many of us misread compliments from friends, family, and even strangers. When someone says our hair looks nice, they mean it—they’re not implying we looked a hot mess before. Instead of searching for hidden meanings or listening to that negative voice in our heads, we should simply smile, run our fingers through our beautiful locks, and say, “thank you.”
The same goes for parenting. If your sister tells you your kids were perfect little angels during their sleepover, believe her. If a kind stranger admires your son’s pirate costume at the park, accept it without hesitation. If an elderly gentleman praises your parenting skills while you’re trying to keep your kids from toppling over a display at Target, let that compliment sink in—breathe it in, and let it motivate you to keep doing your best.
Let’s agree right here, right now, to start believing in compliments, shall we? Let’s choose to accept that when people say something nice about us, they mean it. We should feel proud of ourselves, our choices, our hair, our kids, and our homes. We are incredible women, filled with beauty, strength, grace, and courage. And if someone recognizes that in us and offers a kind word, we should graciously accept it and strut our stuff, ladies.
From today onward, when someone offers a compliment about me or my parenting, I’m going to take those words at face value, silence that pesky negative voice in my head, and simply say, “thank you.” And then, I’ll celebrate with an extra glass of wine because, clearly, I’m totally nailing this parenting gig.
For more insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our other posts, including this one about intracervical insemination. If you’re looking for resources on starting your family, Make A Mom is an authority on the topic, and Women’s Health offers excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary:
In this piece, Jamie Peters reflects on the struggle many moms face when it comes to accepting compliments about their parenting. She recounts a moment of insecurity triggered by a friend’s praise, ultimately concluding that women should embrace compliments confidently and focus on their strengths. By choosing to believe in the value of positive feedback, moms can foster self-acceptance and celebrate their parenting journey.