...
By Daniella Gray
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A mom has been praised for sharing a unique parenting strategy that's got people on talking.
Ellie Grey, the name in her social media bio, reveals that she intentionally talks about her kids behind their backs—but there's a twist. It's all about boosting their confidence and sending them to bed with a smile.
In the clip, Grey (who is known as @iamelliegrey on TikTok) explains how, after sending her kids to bed or asking them to do their nightly routines, she pretends to talk on the phone or someone else in the room.
Read More on Family & Parenting
...
In these conversations, she praises her children, speaking about their best qualities. For example, "She was amazing today, she was so helpful, she was really kind... I had a great day with her," Grey says in her clip.
Unbeknownst to her kids, who think they're eavesdropping on a private conversation, Grey's words are carefully chosen to leave them feeling uplifted before the day ends.
"It sends them to bed basically with really good positive feelings in their body," Grey adds.
The mom also shares that she's noticed her children smiling through the cracks of the door, clearly delighted by the compliments they're overhearing.
Since it was posted on June 22, Grey's video has reached over 242,000 views, as well as hundreds of comments from fellow parents, with many of them sharing that they are going to give Grey's strategy a go.
Other social media users commented that they do something similar with their children. "When my daughter is brushing her teeth I tuck her teddy into bed and 'whisper' all the amazing things she's done that day. She goes to bed glowing every night," one user reported.
Research dating back to the 80s has shown that the context in which praise is given matters.
An analysis by Jere Brophy published in the Review of Educational Research found that praise when it is timely and relevant to the situation is more likely to be effective.
In her caption, Grey also shared some other phrases you could use when seemingly talking about your kids such as: "I've had such a great day with her", "He's amazing company to be with" and "She is so pleasant to be around."
Another TikTok user shared that they used to hear her mom "bad mouthing" them as a child commented that their mother-in-law does the same technique as Grey: "It made me cry happy tears."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some extra details, and they could appear on our website.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines