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

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

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.

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

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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!