An Unexpected Compliment from Another Mom and How to React??

Maybe a little card and gift before you go telling her how much her simple comments touched you and thanking her. Have the girls talked about being pen pals after the move? It may not last forever-but it could be good for both of them while it does. Let em pick ou pretty stationay together.

You pass it on!

It's a wonderful, intentional way to express value to another human being.

You could say, you are so kind to tell me that!

In a crazy world that intensely values organic milk and only breast feeding, you would hope that we take that kind of time for the REALLY important stuff like the milk of human kindness.

You handled it perfectly. :-)

Yes, I have gotten a compliment like that AND I have given such a compliment to a family who son is a close friend with my son. I recently found out that this little friend of my son will be changing schools in the fall. We are so sad by it:( I think life is too short to not appreciate great people. Like you, I too was very touched by such a compliment and my reaction was a big thank you. Facebook is great for people like this...make sure they are your Facebook friends!:)

Aw, how sweet of her. And you are so touched. You all must be a wonderful family. That was beautiful.

You did great accepting the compliment.. and now in the future, you know how great it made you feel, pass it on to others you think fondly of or also admire.

Have a safe move.

Just say thank you.

If you would like to add how much your daughter enjoys her daughter too, great.

How far away are you moving? If it's not far - then you can continue to set up play dates, if it's a ways - set up an e-mail account for your daughter so they can keep in touch that way or make sure she has your new address so they can write to each other.

good luck!

Good for you.

I wish more of that would happen here on this board. Some mamas here hate each other so much they stalk every one of their posts and are relentless. Its as if they are enemies from the 'real world'.

I do not mean the occasional rude comment, but the mamas who tend to stalk and relate every one of another's comments back to their previous posts.

Anyway, again--good for you!

I say thank you.

Have you considered setting up emails for the girls so they can be pen pals?

That's awesome. I enjoy getting unexpected compliments like that about my daughters. I usually smile awkwardly and say "Thank you. I always think so, but I'm biased being her mom and all." ;-)

It happened recently in a PPT meeting for my middle daughter where her teacher and therapists gave glowing compliments on her personality and sense of humor. It brought tears to my eyes... and theirs too.

"Wow, what a generous compliment! I am so glad that my child has left that impression with you and Isabell, and I thank you for sharing it with me! This has really made my day!"

It's okay for her to see that she caught you off guard. It's okay to bask in the pleasure of having received a compliment and not feeling forced into the obligatory and dismissive (of your own value) "Oh, you, too!" Don't try to think of anything flippant or cute to say in response; that just seems clumsy. This tiny moment is about your daughter/your parenting. Take it in and enjoy it.

How nice for you. I'm sure your response was appropriate.
Ikve occasionally gottten nice compliments. I love when older people out at resturaunts and such take the time to say something.

I love to pay it forward too and try to find something nice about other people's kids and let the parents know.

I just say, Oh, thank you so much! How kind of you to say so!"

I don't remember a compliment that sweet and I'm sure I would. Do everything in your power to stay connected to her. We all need more people like this in our lives.

I hope I've handled it just the way you did.

What strikes me is that, perhaps for most of us, a good compliment comes as such a shock. But so often it does.

We're SO quick to criticize and complain. Why aren't we as quick to say, "I like you - you're great! Here's why..."?

If we said the *good* stuff out loud to people more often, how many of them would be astounded like you were?

I work at my kids' school.
When parents are around, and I know their child, I always make a point, to make a "compliment" about their child, to them.
And the reason is, as parents or Moms, it is rare... to be given a compliment by others, about your own kid.
People do not usually do that. At all. They are so self absorbed. Or they are more concerned about their kid being better than yours.
Kids are criticized, more often than not.
But not complimented.

There is one boy at my kids' school. Real chatty boy, but very mannered and very nice and he stands up for other kids. Well, one day I saw his parents for the first time. They are, VERY young parents. Only like in their very early 20's. I was surprised. Because, their son was really a great nice kid. And I told them, how their son is so wonderful. They were really thankful. Because, to them their son is not "good." But I explained to them, how boys can be, but that their son is a real great kid. No trouble at all. And I told them, they must be great parents to raise him so nicely.

I have and I just say thank you, that is all that is needed really.

That sounds wonderful! And I'm sure it's absolutely deserved. Really, not many people are as gracious and lovely as Isabel's mom. Just soak it up and think about passing the good karma along, whether by giving a similar compliment to someone else or encouraging Emily to do the same. The world needs a whole lot more of this

And, thank you for posting this. Maybe it'll encourage other moms to give similar compliments to family and friends.

Maybe the girls can be pen pals after the move?
Would help them maintain a bit of the friendship - and help their handwriting, etc skills!

Ya done great, mom!

I get compliments on my oldest daughter quite frequently: how thoughtful she is, how she stands up for her friends - or TO her friends, and how she's not afraid to just play and have fun - no matter *who* she's playing with.

The only reason I've been caught off guard is because it's not too common for people to state the great things about other kids. I always thank them and say "we think she's pretty amazing too" :)

Maybe one last girls lunch before the big move would be in order.

I think you handled the on the spot comment perfectly, while it is nice to hear wonderful words about your family it can sure catch you off guard and make you stumble for words.