School Report Season

My LG came home from school with her end of term report last week.  I am, and I come from a family of teachers, so report reading is a bit like a party game in our family.  What are they trying to tell me, that they're not allowed to write?

But I didn't need to worry.  My LG's report was amazing, a perfect reflection of the child I (we) know and love.

So how did I react?  By telling her how well she'd done, and how proud I am of her.  I asked her about the things her teacher had written in her report that she'd enjoyed.  Because, to a 6 year old, how the adults around her react and respond to the words written on those 2 sides of A4 paper is crucial.  

How the first person she tells or knows about her achievements reacts affects whether she thinks it's good or bad, and whether it's worth telling anyone else.  She wants to see you being enthusiastic (somewhere at least as enthusiastic as she is about whatever it is ... swim certificate, a 'magic' twig, or a new song ...).  

The questions we ask in response show her that we are genuinely interested.  And that's why she knows that we're proud of her and her achievements.

But are we, as adults really all that different?  I don't think so.

Positive responses to good news is how we affirm friendships and trust.  In the midst of our busy lives, we need to take time to listen to others, to find out what's important to them and ask them about it.  To be genuinely interested.  

We need to celebrate our achievements, and those of others,  no matter how big or small.  Because if we don't celebrate them, who else will?