Do you remember compliments you received when you were a child?

[Anonymous]

I had auburn hair and was told it was gorgeous a lot when I was little. It made me feel like a million bucks because I was very shy and introverted.
As I was growing up, my dad said it was my crowning glory.
In my 60’s now and it’s more white than auburn!

[Anonymous]

Yes, people complimented on my intelligence. I feel mediocre now, but I believed that I was a lot smarter than I am. My sister was always complimented on her looks(and still is). I felt inferior in the looks department.

[Anonymous]

My dad said he was proud of me at report card time. It was his only compliment, and it made me uncomfortable because I didn't have to work hard for good grades, but I have always remembered it.

[Anonymous]

I remember someone complimenting my hair at 10. I remember it still especially as my mother never really thought I looked nice and especially didn't like my hair. It was stick straight and it was the permed 80s.

[Anonymous]

I don’t remember the specific compliments my parents gave me, but they always made me feel good about myself.
I do remember my grandfather telling me never to sell myself short (so, sort of a compliment?). That always stuck with me.

[Anonymous]

I remember overhearing my mom say I was very determined.

I was about 11 or 12 and pretty insecure and that comment was so meaningful. Even more so becuase I overheard it and she wasn't saying it directly to me, so it felt more likely to be true.

[Anonymous]

When I was 12 a pedophile told me I was the cutest sweet pea he ever saw. It shaped me into being aware not all people are good.
Probably why I was a lone person my whole life BUT I learned to entertain myself.

[Anonymous]

A boy told me I would look “absolutely stunning” if I dropped like ten pounds. I’ve had a raging eating disorder for 2 decades, but who know when that got unlocked.

[Anonymous]

I got straight A's pretty much my entire childhood. Not one time do I ever remember getting told "Good job." One time I got a B and got yelled at.

I don't think I will cry when my parents die.

[Anonymous]

I get that parenting is hard, but I vividly remember receiving a half hearted “Keep up the good work” from my parent every time I did something I was proud of.

Like, it didn’t feel sincere, and I never felt good enough.

Throughout my life, I never thought I could do hard things. I suffer major imposter syndrome….even as I accomplish more and more great things.

As an aside, I also remember my elementary school teacher (Ms. Rich) asking each of us to come to her desk to give her our home addresses. When I whispered to her that I didn’t know it, she said loudly so everyone could hear, “You don’t know your address!!??”

I was mortified.

Damn, it’s crazy how stuff like that impacts you your entire life.

I’ll be the first to admit that I do not think I’d have been a better influence on children in my life. That’s one reason I’m glad I’m childfree.

[NP]

[Anonymous]

I remember getting criticism more than compliments. Like my grandmother described me as bossy, now I’m known as a leader in my community. I was too sensitive and a crybaby, whereas now people tell me I’m an empath.

My DS has received a lot of compliments his entire life, mostly about his intelligence and politeness, but to an extent his looks too. i love him and think he's great, but he also comes off as arrogant sometimes, but deep down has insecurities and self-esteem issues. People have always had really high expectations of him too and he is really hard on himself if he feels he doesn't live up to them.

[Anonymous]

People always asked how tall I was. I was the tallest person in elementary school, high school, etc

[Anonymous]

I was the first grandchild on my mom’s side, so I wasn’t allowed to forget how beautiful/smart/perfect I was and could do no wrong. Looking back with some objectivity, I was an early talker and bright (as confirmed via gifted testing and academic performance moving forward). I was average to cute, but when I look at photos of me from childhood I think my younger sister was better looking.

I remember several specific instances of praise (and criticism) from teachers starting in elementary school.

I also remember two specific comments — one positive and one strange — from family acquaintances. One said I looked like I had ballet training because I carried myself well. A childless female friend of my parents commented on the size of my breasts when I was 10 or 11, and still self-conscious because I had developed earlier than most of my classmates.

[Anonymous]

I do not think you need to remember something for it to help shape the adult you become.

[Anonymous]

I actually never got compliments until maybe high school which was "you're funny" which I didn't think I was at the time. Now the compliments are about my physical appearance which I do appreciate, I would be lying if I said I didn't like the compliments. I also get compliments about being a good listener, a good friend, and yes apparently I am still funny