I have a tender spot in my heart for a scene in the movie, The Help. It is where the maid and nanny Aibileen repeatedly says to the little 4 year old girl, who was ignored by her own mother, “You is smart, you is kind, you is important.” Okay, so the grammar was a little off, but Aibileen’s intentions were spot on. She knew how important positive messages were for this little mistreated child to hear.
Grandmas are important people in the lives of their grandchildren, and their words can have great power. The way we talk to children become their inner voices. Words of encouragement that I heard from my parents and grandparents have stayed with me.
Here is a list of 50 positive things to say to children that you can say that can make a difference in how your grandchild sees themselves: