Not a Christmas Post Yet

Recently Nolan said "Hey, good counting Mom!" when I was counting place settings for Chrsitmas Eve dinner at Mom and Dad's. I also have recently read some of the "Good-Job!" backlash on the NYT website I think, from Alfie Kohn. Then I read this in Mimi Smartypants, a blog I tend to follow:

I COME HERE NOT TO PRAISE CESAR
I don't want to sound like some sort of Alfie Kohn acolyte, but Nora and I spent some time at a busy playground recently and some parents really need to cool it on the "good jobs." Good job swinging! Good job going down the slide! Good job, inertia! Good job, gravity! Then Nora and I went to lunch where I overheard a kid get good-jobbed for drinking all of his chocolate milk. What kid needs to be self-esteemed into finishing chocolate milk? Good job, sugar! Way to taste delicious!

I am vowing, for 2008, to praise a job well done, in specific terms "I like the way you drew that circle so carefully", or feedback instead, so he knows I noticed something but I am not judging it per se-"You put your shoes on by yourself", or "That's a really big smile you drew" and so on- and try to cut down on the meaningless cheerleader act.

Later,
L

Next post I'll do some stuff on Xmas. All the cousin-kids together- mostly good, somewhat formative as well....