The Most Underrated Parenting Hack No One Talks About

You ever notice how quick we are to point things out... when they’re wrong? 

Your kid forgets their shoes—“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?!” 

Your partner forgets to take the bin out—“Again? Seriously?” 

The barista spells your name wrong—“It’s not that hard.” 

But when someone does something right? Something small, good, kind, helpful? 

We think it... 

We feel it... 

But we rarely say it. 

Compliments, appreciation, kind words—they’re like social currency. And most of us are walking around like we’re broke. 

But they’re free. And they work on everyone. 

Kids light up when they’re noticed for their effort. 

Partners soften when they’re seen for the little things they do. 

And for strangers, a well-timed compliment can make their whole week. 

Unless someone’s a total jerk, most people love being genuinely appreciated. 

Not flattered. Not buttered up. 

Just seen. 

And the craziest part? It takes less than ten seconds to do. 

So why don’t more of us do it? 

Let’s talk about how this simple, often-forgotten habit can shift the energy in your home, your relationships, and even how you feel about yourself. 

People Are Starving For Recognition 

You’d be shocked how many people walk around every day completely starved of recognition. 

Not praise. Not trophies. Not over-the-top hype. 

Just… someone noticing them. 

Seeing them. 

Acknowledging something—anything—about who they are or what they do. 

The school teacher who stays late every day without a thank-you. 

The mum quietly folding laundry for the fourth time this week. 

The child who put real effort into zipping their own jacket. 

The barista who actually remembered your name. 

No fanfare. No applause. Just consistent effort that goes unnoticed. 

And when that’s all you experience, day in and day out? You start to feel invisible. Like what you do doesn’t matter. 

But then—out of nowhere—someone sees you. 

They say something. 

Something true. 

Something small. 

Something like, 

“Hey, I saw how patient you were with your kid just now. That’s not easy.” 

Boom. Instant emotional shift. You’re no longer invisible. You’re validated. 

And suddenly? Your day feels different. 

Because that’s the thing about compliments—they’re tiny on the outside, but massive on the inside. 

The Science-y Bit (In Normal Human Language) 

When someone compliments you—genuinely—your brain lights up. 

You get a little hit of dopamine (the reward chemical). 

You feel more connected. 

Your stress drops. 

Your self-worth takes a step up. 

Compliments make people feel safe. They create trust. 

And they open the door to better communication—not just between adults, but between parents and kids too. 

There’s a reason Carnegie said this stuff works. It’s basic human wiring. 

Why We Don’t Do It More 

You’d think with all the benefits, we’d be handing out compliments like Tic Tacs. 

But we don’t. 

Here’s why: 

We assume people already know. 

We feel awkward or cheesy saying it out loud. 

We think it’s too small to matter. 

Or… we just forget. 

But let’s be honest—we don’t forget to correct people. 

We don’t forget to point out when something’s wrong, late, or out of line. 

So if we’ve got the energy to critique, we’ve got the energy to appreciate. 

How to Give a Compliment Without Sounding Cheesy or Fake 

This is the part where most people overthink it. 

You don’t need to be poetic. You don’t need a dramatic speech. You don’t even need a “moment.” 

You just need to be specific. 

That’s it. That’s the whole trick. 

Here’s how to make it land: 

Instead of: 

“You’re such a great mum.” 

Say: 

“I love how calm you stayed when they were melting down. That takes a lot.” 

Instead of: 

“Good job, buddy!” 

Say: 

“I noticed how you helped your friend today without anyone asking. That was kind.” 

Instead of: 

“You’re amazing.” 

Say: 

“You’ve been handling so much lately, and you’re still showing up. I see that.” 

Be specific. Be sincere. That’s it. 

No glitter, no fireworks—just a clear, honest observation. 

And the best part? 

You don’t need to “wait” for a compliment-worthy moment. 

If you notice it, say it. 

It doesn’t matter if they’ve heard it before. Most people need to hear it again. 

How It Changes the Whole Room 

Compliments change more than just the person you’re giving them to. 

They change the energy of the room. They soften tension. They disarm stress. They signal to others: “Hey, this is a safe space to be human.” 

In a home, that’s massive. 

A compliment can reset the mood after a long day. It can rebuild connection after an argument. It can remind your child, your partner—even yourself—that you’re doing better than you think. 

And once you start, you’ll see how quickly it spreads. 

Your kid starts to do it too. Your partner starts to mirror it back. 

Even your own self-talk improves. 

You change the temperature of the house—without raising your voice, without buying anything, without a single consequence. 

A Quick Challenge to Try Today 

Give one specific compliment to anyone. 

Doesn’t have to be big. Doesn’t have to be deep. 

Just say it out loud. 

To your child. Your partner. A friend. A stranger. 

Then just… watch what happens. 

Because most people are running on empty. And you’ve got the fuel sitting in your pocket. 

Why We Care About This at Centenary

Childcare Centre 

At Centenary Childcare Centre, we believe confidence isn’t built from achievements—it’s built from being seen. 

That’s why we don’t just reward outcomes—we celebrate effort. 

We don’t just teach manners—we model appreciation. 

And we encourage kids to build each other up, not just with praise, but with specific, sincere recognition. 

Because that’s what builds trust. 

That’s what builds resilience. 

That’s what builds confident, emotionally intelligent humans. 

If you’re looking for a childcare centre in Mount Ommaney that understands the emotional side of learning as much as the academic… 

Or if you’re based in Middle Park or any of the surrounding areas and want a centre that makes your child feel safe, seen, and supported... 

Join our waitlist today and see why we’re one of the best childcare centres in Mount Ommaney.