Get ready for some eye-opening truths…

To all soon-to-be parents, new parents, and those already on the parenting journey: there are 10 essential reasons why regularly complimenting and praising your child is vital for their development.

Parenting is no easy feat — everyone can agree on that. It’s not a task that comes with a clear-cut blueprint, and there’s no perfect way to navigate it. Mistakes are bound to happen.

However, one thing is certain: learning from past generations and breaking harmful cycles is crucial if you want to raise a child who grows up happy and emotionally healthy.

Psychologists agree that something as simple as offering regular compliments can have a profound impact on your child’s well-being as they mature.

Low self-esteem

When children don’t receive enough praise or encouragement for their positive actions, it can negatively affect their self-esteem and confidence as they grow.

Dr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, a psychologist and media advisor for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, told Yahoo! Life that adults who didn’t receive compliments during childhood often struggle with their sense of self-worth.

As Dr. Lira de la Rosa explained, “They may feel they are not good enough or capable of success and can internalize the lack of praise as a sign that they have no value.”

Social anxiety or isolation

A lack of positive reinforcement can also create challenges in social interactions. According to Thriveworks psychologist Dr. Connally Barry, individuals who didn’t receive compliments during their upbringing may struggle to both give and receive them as adults, often making these exchanges feel awkward or inauthentic.

This discomfort can hinder their ability to form or maintain friendships, leading to anxiety in social settings. In more severe cases, it could even impact their performance in jobs that rely heavily on communication and connection, such as customer service roles.

Feeling pessimistic

When a child is primarily met with criticism or has their mistakes pointed out without receiving praise for their achievements, they may develop a generally negative outlook on life.

Dr. Wendy Walsh, a relationship expert, explained: “True pessimism is partly genetic, but that gene must be triggered by the environment.”

Lack of motivation

Let’s face it: without recognition for our hard work, it’s easy to lose motivation and start questioning why we’re even trying. The same holds true for children.

If kids don’t receive enough compliments, this lack of acknowledgment can carry into adulthood, leaving them uncertain if their efforts will ever be recognized.

Dr. Barry emphasizes that children who didn’t receive positive feedback may struggle to find the energy or drive to push themselves, as they believe their efforts won’t be appreciated anyway.

Need for external validation

Instead of lacking motivation, some children who didn’t receive enough compliments may grow into adults who are overly eager to please, constantly seeking the validation they missed out on during their early years.

But even when they do receive praise, it doesn’t mean they know how to handle it well.

Not being able to accept compliments

When a child grows up without receiving positive feedback, they may find themselves seeking compliments later in life.

However, they might also have difficulty accepting praise, feeling undeserving of the recognition.

This can extend to challenges in acknowledging their own successes and celebrating their achievements.

Finding it hard to recognize and celebrate accomplishments

Dr. Lira de la Rosa adds, “Without having received praise as children, some adults struggle to celebrate their own accomplishments.”

He further explains, “They may downplay their successes or feel guilty about acknowledging them, as they are not accustomed to receiving recognition.”

This struggle can be even more pronounced for those who set exceptionally high standards for themselves.

Perfectionism

Some people grow up thinking they must go above and beyond to earn even a small amount of recognition because they didn’t receive enough compliments as children.

This mindset can lead to a harmful cycle of overthinking, anxiety, and even burnout, as they constantly strive to meet unrealistic expectations.

Being overly sensitive

Adults who didn’t receive praise as children may become overly sensitive to feedback, perceiving even constructive criticism as a personal attack.

This heightened sensitivity can make relationships—whether professional, with friends, or in romantic contexts—much harder to navigate.

Struggling to maintain healthy, balanced relationships

In friendships or romantic relationships, people who weren’t frequently complimented as children may struggle to accept the love and respect they truly deserve. They might find it hard to establish healthy boundaries or feel defensive when faced with criticism, which can damage their ability to maintain strong, balanced relationships.

Dr. Walsh explains: “Deep down, people who weren’t cherished by their parents as children may have difficulty believing that an adult romantic partner can truly adore them. Love isn’t just about finding happiness—it’s about finding the familiar. They may end up choosing someone who treats them the way their parents did.”

Charity Words Matter also emphasizes that verbal abuse can be as harmful as physical or sexual abuse. They offer guidance and support on their website for anyone seeking help.