My good friend Rob Northrop commented on my last blog about how we also need to teach children to be able to accept a compliment graciously. This is very important. So many kids, especially preteen and teenage girls it seems, do not accept compliments well, and can even make the person who gave them the compliment wish they never said it.
Once when I was in 6th grade, I told my friend that I thought she was really pretty. She said, "No I'm not." Of course, I said, "You really are. You are so pretty!" Her response was, "Shut up, don't say that! I hate when people say that to me." Boy, was I sorry I paid that girl a compliment.
I can remember feeling really embarrassed and uncomfortable when people would compliment me when I was a teen. One of the most valuable lessons that I learned at modeling school in my younger day was how to graciously accept compliments without feeling awkward.
Several months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Stewart Emery, one of the speakers at Kevin Hogan's wealth seminar in Las Vegas. While we were talking he paid me a wonderful compliment. I simply smiled and said "thank you." He then asked me where I learned to accept a compliment. That in itself was a compliment to me.
Begin teaching your children these social graces while they are young. Nobody should ever feel uncomfortable giving or receiving compliments or praise.

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