16 Phrases Your Child Needs to Hear From You

March Madness officially starts today. While you're flipping channels at home or online to see how your bracket's doing, be sure your using #MarchDadness for all your social media posts. Today, we start our official tournament of tips and tools for fathering. We begin our bracket with the Sweet 16!

The words a coach says from the bench, in time-outs, and pre-game huddles all have a big impact on how players perform on the court. Have you watch a game where the players can't do anything right in the first half; only to come out in the second half and play like champions? Odds are good that the coach gave a great half-time speech and somehow communicated well what his team was doing well and not so well.

In the same way, what you say to your children each day has influence on your child—for good or for ill. Your child should receive continual encouragement and affirmation. Don't assume that hearing praise from teachers, Mom or other people is enough—your child needs to hear from YOU. You can live out and model love all you want, but saying the words below are crucial to helping your child develop confidence and character. It's up to you, dad. 

Be intentional about saying these affirming phrases frequently to your kids. I would challenge you to stop, get your child's attention, look them in the eye and tell them convincingly the following phrases. These aren't in order of importance.

1. I'm so proud to be your dad!
2. Good job!
3. You are beautiful/handsome.
4. You are so sweet/smart/brave/creative.
5. It's wonderful how you demonstrate kindness/thoughtfulness/compassion.
6. Thank you for helping.
7. You are very good at _______.
8. I believe in you.
9. You can do it!
10. No matter what happens, you can always come to me.
11. I will always be there for you, no matter what.
12. You are unique and special.
13. I'm glad you are my son/daughter.
14. I appreciate you so much.
15. The day you were born was one of the best days of my life.
16. I LOVE YOU!