# The best things to say to kids. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 22, 2003, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532 "2003-06-22T02:51:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Roadwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Roadwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadwalker)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/1 "2003-06-22T02:51:34Z")
While there is a thread around here polling \*bad \* things to say to kids, I thought we ought to remind each other of \*good \* things. When I was a teenager, my dad was away somewhere and we were talking on the phone. Before we said goodbye he said: “Hey! I’ve been bragging about you!” I’ve never forgotten that. ---
**Author:** ![plain\_jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@plain\_jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plain_jane)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/2 "2003-06-22T03:13:43Z")
“I believe you, and I’m going to help you.” “You are a wonderful person and I like spending time with you.” “Wow! What a great job you did!” “I’m so proud of you!” “I love you no matter what.” “Here’s the keys to the car and fifty bucks and don’t worry about your homework or chores, I did it all for you. See you whenever you get home!” Well, okay, maybe from the kid’s point of view. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/3 "2003-06-22T03:20:30Z")
“Let’s go get ice cream!” (or go out for dinner) “You know, I’m really glad you’re my kid!” “I love you”, which I say daily to my little ones (ages 3 and 6) ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/4 "2003-06-22T03:21:46Z")
“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/5 "2003-06-22T03:34:12Z")
“I’m too tired to beat you tonight.” Just kidding. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/6 "2003-06-22T03:36:14Z")
I’d also like to point out that real child abuse isn’t funny, I just thought it was an amusing juxtaposition. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/7 "2003-06-22T04:46:49Z")
“Ninety percent of everything is crap. That applies to conversations, to things you buy, to the things you need to do, to the things you learn in school, to the People you meet, to the Secrets of the Universe. Keep that in mind as you grow up.” “Everybody in the world is going to tell you that you’re supposed to be like them, to talk like them, to act like them. They’re wrong. Be You, not them.” ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/8 "2003-06-22T04:48:54Z")
“I love you.” Everything else is pretty much window dressing. (Not that window dressing is so very bad, mind you.) ---
**Author:** ![Tony\_Montana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/278dde/32.png) [@Tony\_Montana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tony_Montana)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/9 "2003-06-22T04:59:13Z")
When my pops calls sometimes he’ll say: “I just wanted to hear your voice son” ---
**Author:** ![DreadCthulhu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DreadCthulhu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadCthulhu)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/10 "2003-06-22T05:36:32Z")
“Don’t tell your brothers and sisters, but you really are my favorite” 🙂 😃 ---
**Author:** ![3waygeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e95f7d/32.png) [@3waygeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3waygeek)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/11 "2003-06-22T13:16:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chimera \* > \*\*“Ninety percent of everything is crap.” \*\* Optimist. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/12 "2003-06-22T13:32:10Z")
Wow Way to Go Super You’r Special Outstanding Excellent Great Good Neat Well Done Remarkable I knew you could Do it I’m Proud of You Fantastic Supper Star Nice Work Looking Good You’re on top of it Beautiful Now You’re Flying You’re Catching On Now You’ve Got it You’re Incredible Bravo You’re Fantastic Hurray For You You’re on Target You’re on Your way How nice How Smart Good Job That’s incredible\* Hot Dog Dynamite You’re Beautiful You’re Unique Nothing can Stop You Now Good for You I like you You’re a Winner Remarkable Job Beautiful work Spectacular You’re Spectacular You’re Darling You’re Precious Great Discovery You’ve Discovered the Secret You Figured it out Fantastic Job Hip, Hip, Hurray Bingo Magnificent Marvelous Terrific You’re important Phenomenal You’re sensational Super Work Creative Job Super Job Fantastic Job Exceptional performance You’re a Real Trooper You are Responsible You Are Exciting You Learned it Right What an Imagination What a Good Listener You are Fun You’re Growing up You Tried Hard You Care Beautiful Sharing Outstanding Performance You’re a Good Friend I Trust You You’re important You Mean A Lot to Me You make me Happy You Belong You’ve Got a friend You make me Laugh You Brighten My Day I respect you You Mean the World to me That’s Correct You’re a Joy You’re a Treasure\* You’re Wonderful You’re Perfect Awesome A+ Job You’re A-OK My Buddy You Made My Day That’s The Best A Big Hug A Big Kiss I Love You - From a refrigerator magnet that is put out by a group called, Best Life. Also it should be noted that tone of voice and body language are impoortant in the delivery of many of these. Complimentary words can be said quite easily in a manner that is more damaging than complimentary. I really like **Roadwalker** and **Tony Montana** ’s. Going to remember them to use if the opportunity presents itself. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/13 "2003-06-22T16:09:14Z")
“You’re going to be OK” Invaluable advice from my dad, “Pops” Mercotan. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/14 "2003-06-22T16:20:11Z")
“Never turn down anything that’s free.” Honestly, that’s the best thing my dad ever told me. ---
**Author:** ![StanDup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e5b9ba/32.png) [@StanDup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StanDup)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/15 "2003-06-22T16:50:17Z")
> [@](#): > > …Fantastic, Supper star, Nice work Mmm… Supper star… ---
**Author:** ![Shrinking\_Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Shrinking\_Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shrinking_Violet)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/16 "2003-06-22T17:28:41Z")
“I always dreamed I’d have a son/daughter _just_ like you” 🙂 Julie ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/17 "2003-06-22T17:46:08Z")
“It is impossible to overestimate how important a good reputation is. This applies to getting a job, getting a loan, and getting a girlfriend. Maintain your reputation at a high level, no matter the cost.” “Always listen to your instincts. If they say ‘this person is full of shit,’ then they _are_.” “Son (or daughter), I’m as proud of how hard you tried than I am of whether you ultimately won or lost. There is no shame in losing if you know you did all you could.” ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/18 "2003-06-22T17:52:09Z")
“You are such a neat kid! I’m so glad you’re mine!” Is it any wonder my mom is one of my best friends? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![aaslatten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@aaslatten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaslatten)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/19 "2003-06-22T18:17:03Z")
Go mow the lawn. ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532/20 "2003-06-22T20:19:02Z")
“I’d love to (do something) with you.” I also thought immediately of **zev\_steinhardt** ’s wonderful post about [his children](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=121279) as just chock full of good things to say to your kids. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-things-to-say-to-kids/183532.md?page=2)