Hadley and I just got back from a nice long walk. As we were coming up the alley, a little curly headed girl of about 3 came running out of her garage. "A puppy!" she squealed.
Hadley can be a bit jumpy still, but I held her in a sit and invited the little girl to pet her. Then I asked her if she could follow directions.
She nodded.
I asked her if she wanted to give Hadley a treat. More squeals of delight. First, I told her she had to know how to do it. I showed her how to hold her hand flat with the treat on it so Hadley could just take it off. (Dogs can sometimes accidentally nip if you just use your fingers instead of your palm.)
She held out her hand and Hadley took the treat. Again, squeals of delight. "She likes me!"
I agreed that she did. Then I said, "You did such a great job following directions! That was super!"
She beamed. But I'm not sure whose smile was brighter -- hers or her father's.
Recognizing something a child does well to a parent seems to encourage them as much as the child. It sends the message to the parent, that in the tough world of parenting, they might be doing something right.
So, at Barnes and Noble when kids are behaving well, I tell them what a nice job they are doing and even give them a sticker.
When I'm in the grocery store, I might say something about what a good helper the little boy is doing.
When I see a child help another, I let the mom know.
I don't have kids, but I recognize that parenting has got to be stuff. A little praise might encourage a weary mom or dad that they are getting something right.
