20 Positive Things to Say to Your Child

I first wrote the following words a few years ago.  I’m returning to them today because I need the reminder.  Summer break is about to begin for our oldest two children.  I’ve been reminding myself to slow down and embrace these days, speaking words that build up instead of words that tear down.  If you’re looking for positive things to say to your child, this list is for you, too.

20 Positive Things to Say to Your Child

Author Toni Morrison once asked, “When your child walks in the room, does your face light up?” 

These words come to my mind often.

I think of these words in the early hours of dawn—when fuzzy heads stumble from their bedrooms and greet me.

I often consider these words when I’m tired at the end of long days.

What do our kids see when our eyes meet theirs?

I want my kids to see love and acceptance.  Sadly, I know they sometimes see frustration or impatience.

However, I’ve been working on a list of practical ways to encourage my kids as I remind my face to show them what’s in my heart.  I pray these words bless you and the children in your life today.

Author Toni Morrison once asked, “When your child walks in the room, does your face light up?” #parenting Share on X

Positive Things to Say to Your Child

1. “Tell me more.”

I’ve been reminding myself to look away from whatever task I happen to be working on (or the screen I’m staring at) and listen to my kids with full focus when they approach me.

I’ve been reminding myself that the moments that feel like interruptions to my work are often my most important work.

2. “You’ve got this.”

Before first days of school, big games, or the kinds of pursuits that make my kids feel nervous or insecure, I write encouraging notes and leave them where they will be found.  I remind them, “You’ve got this!”  They need to hear it.

Life is hard, and the world can be critical.  Let’s be the safe place where our children find a sense of identity and confidence.  Click here for 10 one-liners to develop your child’s identity.

3. “I’m proud of you for working so hard.”

Instead of saying, “Great job on this test; you are so smart,” or, “You are an amazingly gifted athlete,” I try to say, “You worked so hard to earn this grade,” or, “All of your work in practice paid off in the game today.”

This teaches our children that progress is always possible with effort.

4. “Hurting people hurt other people.”

When other kids are mean, I remind my kids that people who are hurting hurt others.  Often, this treatment has very little to do with the person who is treated unkindly.

Remind your children that when others are hurtful, it is an indication of the pain inside of the other person, and it usually has very little to do with your child.

Remind your children that when others are hurtful, it is an indication of the pain inside of the other person, and it usually has very little to do with your child. #parenting #hurtpeople #Christianparenting Share on X

5. “Your mistakes don’t define you.”

Our kids need to know that their mistakes don’t define them.

We grow through failure.  Every setback is an opportunity for growth.

Let’s look at 15 additional encouraging words for kids and phrases that don’t require an explanation.

15 More Positive Things to Say to Your Child

6. “I’ve got your back.”
7. “I’m sorry.”
8. “I forgive you.”
9. “I love you just because you are mine.”
10. “What would you like to do for fun together this week?”
11. “How can I support you in this?”
12. “Here are some of the things I really appreciate about you . . .”
13. “You bring me so much joy.”
14. “I love spending time with you.”
15. “I’m proud of you.”
16. “I believe in you.”
17. “I’m here for you.”
18. “Nothing could ever make me love you less.”
19. “How can I help you?”
20. “I’m so thankful for you.”

A Devotional Book to Help You Encourage Your Daughter

Do you want to open the lines of communication with your daughter, connect on deeper levels, laugh together, and grow in your faith together?  Maybe you don’t have a daughter, but you would love to connect with a granddaughter, niece, or younger woman in your life.

If any of this resonates with you, I have a tool to help you.  My 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book together, and it is designed to help moms and daughters connect and grow in faith together.

It’s called Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith.  It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a journaling section.  You can buy your paperback or eBook on Amazon right here.  This book also makes a powerful gift for the mothers and daughters you care about!  We encourage you to check it out!