How to talk to little girls

Replies

  • Carolyn_79
    Carolyn_79 Posts: 935 Member
    Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
  • seryph_alethea
    seryph_alethea Posts: 16 Member
    While I agree that we should talk to children like they are grown ups. Apart from that I disagree with the rest of it, I think it is very important to tell all children that they look good. Telling children they don't look good (or that they could look better) is what make children desperate to change themselves, along with parents who wear a ton of make up and wear revealing clothes, and of course don't forget all the other children they see doing the same thing.

    You should always tell children they look good, not on a casual conversation for half an hour (unless they want to show off what they are wearing, or their hair or whatever, then you compliment them.)

    I'm a nanny, and the little girl I look after positively beams if you tell her she is pretty and her brother loves being called hansom like a prince, and then they completely forget what you said because you are doing painting now.

    As adults we expect to be complimented on your new hair cut, weight loss or outfit, so why shouldn't children get that nice feeling too?

    (Though books are the best thing ever.)
  • thatsnumberwang
    thatsnumberwang Posts: 398 Member
    I think it is very important to tell all children that they look good. Telling children they don't look good (or that they could look better) is what make children desperate to change themselves

    There's a difference between not mentioning a child's appearance and telling them that they look bad. The article definitely argues for the former, and doesn't even touch on the latter.
  • FaerieCae
    FaerieCae Posts: 437 Member
    Thought this was a lovely post. The article wasnt saying dont mention a compliment to them, just make sure its obvious you value their opinion/mind more than how 'cute/pretty' they are.
  • hegster23
    hegster23 Posts: 36 Member
    Thought this was a lovely post. The article wasnt saying dont mention a compliment to them, just make sure its obvious you value their opinion/mind more than how 'cute/pretty' they are.

    Agreed. And like another poster said, not mentioning the child's appearance is ok. Focusing on other things (like books in the article) is great and will teach them that not everything is based on how people look.
  • LilMissDB
    LilMissDB Posts: 133
    I absolutely agree. I've been thinking a lot lately about how my parents barely know me which I think has a lot to do with them viewing me as a 'kid' and not a person! (even though I'm 29!) I also think my parent's attitude to weight affected my view of weight a lot - I was always top of my class, got into law (although somehow ended up a dietitian haha) but yet the first time I ever remember my Mum saying she was proud of me was when I lost 50kg. Hmm.