Anonymous wrote:I am an outlier because I dislike hearing that. There is no one way of being a good mother and people from the outside rarely can see/accurately whether you are a good fit for your child or not.

Yeah I guess, but I wouldn't read so much into a compliment. I interpret it as, your kid seems happy and you seem happy. Good job at seeming to like each other.

My sister has a VERY high needs child and really struggled to adjust to motherhood after idealizing it in her mind for a long time. Her experience gave me a lot of compassion for parents who are doing a ton more work than I am, but still struggling with the day to day. It's a lot harder for her to be a mother than it is for me, so I try to remember that when people pat me on the back for successfully raising my super easy kids.

I think it is a lovely compliment. I don't know if it's the best ever but it does make me feel good because so much of what we do as moms is completely thankless.

Anonymous wrote:DS used to tell me, "Mommy, you're such a good boy" LOL It tickled me.

Super cute!

I am an outlier because I dislike hearing that. There is no one way of being a good mother and people from the outside rarely can see/accurately whether you are a good fit for your child or not.

Anonymous wrote:Is this the best compliment you have ever received? A nanny, of all people, said this to me yesterday and I think it is absolutely the best compliment I have ever received!!! I can't believe how happy it has made me.

Am I weird or insecure or what? I have been pretty successful in my career and have my own style so I am not starving for compliments in general. Why does this mean so much to me?

I am not sure what you meant by "a nanny, of all people..." but having a nanny tell me I was a wonderful mother would mean more to me than just anyone saying it. The nanny has probably seen a lot of mothers out there and worked with a number of them.

I love when people tell me this!

Being a mother means that you hear a lot of people telling you that you're doing it wrong. Your choices are scrutinized or judged, and it often seems like you can't win. Having someone say that you are a good mother is just such a nice change!

Of course I'm a wonderful mother. But it's nice when others say it

People have said this to me. It does make you feel great! I think what some people have meant when they've said it is that I seem more relaxed and confident as a FTM than a lot of other FTMs I see. Plus I have a naturally happy, easy going kid, so (unfairly) it seems like I'm doing a good job. It's easier to do a good job when you have a low stress kid!

If someone said that to me (other than DH, who says it all the time), I'd be over the moon. I try so hard to be a good mom that having someone on the outside recognize it would probably make me feel like a million bucks.

I agree. It makes me feel great. I'm not sure if it's the best ever compliment, but it ranks up there!!

DS used to tell me, "Mommy, you're such a good boy" LOL It tickled me.

My mother and MIL have said this to me. It's nice.

My husband gets told he's a wonderful father all. the. time.
Just for walking down the street holding our daughter's hand. People routinely stop by our table in a restaurant to tell him that they think he's a great father. I'm sitting right there. I get no flicker of acknowledgement.

I think it's a nice thing to hear and it's not said nearly often enough to women.

I think it's a fantastic compliment. It means a lot because parenting is hard work and someone who works "in the business" recognizes what you put into it, and the love you give your children.

Is this the best compliment you have ever received? A nanny, of all people, said this to me yesterday and I think it is absolutely the best compliment I have ever received!!! I can't believe how happy it has made me.

Am I weird or insecure or what? I have been pretty successful in my career and have my own style so I am not starving for compliments in general. Why does this mean so much to me?