Greetings,

I'm Granny Jean from KidsDiscuss.com where my current hot item is Parent Affirmations: 75 to Build Character in Kids.

Last time we discussed "Nothing is Better Than Honesty" when affirming your kids. Today let's discuss the problem of being too positive.

How would you feel if a parent giggled when her child spoke rudely to you? Would you wonder if that parent had a screw loose? It happened to me.

In their first counseling session, a 10-year-old girl and her mother, sat down. The girl glared at me and with hatred in her voice yelled, "I'm going to kill you." It shocked me. Her mother's response shocked me even more. She giggled.

Listen. Being positive is good. Being too positive is not.

When parents are too positive they:

• Minimize rude behavior
• Exaggerate good behavior.
• Sound phony when they praise.

Children know when their parents minimize. Children know when their parents exaggerate. Children know when their parents are wrong.

To learn more and solve this problem, check out my advice column at Minti.

All my best,

Granny Jean

Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean"  publishes her Free top-rated newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders." Subscribe at her website, Kids Discuss.com and receive 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids.

Check out the Parent Affirmations at  KidsDiscuss.com. They're genuine, specific, and honest!

Have you ever heard a mother exaggerate when praising  her kids? Did  the sound of her voice irritate you? Did you think to yourself, "Oh brother!" Did you think her kids really believed  her?

The other day I was discussing  the problem of exaggerating praise with my good friend, Dr. Lyn Criddle. As we sat on her Orcas Island deck in the San Juans, Lyn said, "It's important to tell the truth." She advises parents to praise their kids for their talents. She also advises them to be honest about areas to improve.  She gave this example, "Your ability to add and subtract in your head is amazing. You practice a lot and it's working. If you practice your spelling a little more, I think you'll be a good speller too."

If you heard Lyn talk with kids,  you'd like the sound of her voice . Her honesty always shines through. No wonder kids like her so well. They believe her too.

How about you? Did your parents overdo their praise? What affect did their affirmations have on you?

My next post will discuss Parent Affirmations: Never Be Too Positive.

All my best,

Granny Jean

PS. Subscribe to  my free top-rated parenting newsletter, "Tips and Tools for Character Builders," and receive 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids at KidsDiscuss.com

Parent Affirmations or Cruel Comments which do you prefer?

Cruel Comments get results. Imagine yelling at your child, "You lazy good for nothing. You'll never amount to anything?"

Now become your child receiving this comment. See the look on your parent's face. Hear the tone in your parent's voice. Experience your feelings. Are you angry, rebellious, discouraged, or something else? Would you try to please your parent or decide to do the opposite?

Cruel comments get results! Cruel comments result in pain. Cruel comments from parents result in negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in their children. Cruel comments can settle in and fester forever. Parents who rely on cruel comments create a negative relationship with their kids. Are these the results you want?

Check out my 75 Affirmations that build character in kids at KidsDiscuss.com . They'll help you avoid cruel comments and bring out the best in your kids.

Were you raised by a parent who used cruel comments? If so, would you mind sharing your story with me? I'd like to know what was said and the effect it had on you.

My next posting will discuss the need for being honest when affirming your kids.

All my best,

Granny Jean

Today, I'm jumping for joy. Today I launched a new product at KidsDiscuss.com . Parent Affirmations:75 to Build Character in Kids.

If you choose these affirmations with their cool love notes, you'll also receive 80 fun activities to share with your kids.

Affirmations are important because they:

• Lift your child's spirit.
• Give your child attention.
• Show your child appreciation.
• Shower your child with affection.
• Increase your child's cooperation.

With affirmations you can easily:

1. Send 75 Lunch Box notes to your kids.
2. Offer a meaningful compliment during Family Meetings.
3. Post your affirmation on the refrigerator for all to see.
4. Encourage your child during sad moments.
5. Rejoice with your child on special occasions.

Affirmations need to be specific, positive, and honest.

My next blog will talk about how "Cruel Comments Get Results."

All my best,

Granny Jean