Can you praise me？

How about your spring festival? Although it passed more than one month. Everything went smoothly on this holiday, unlike in previous years, my parents always ask me why I'm still not married. Amazingly, we got along well. But one thing happened that impressed me so far. It made me realized that words are the source of misunderstanding, as the fox told the little prince.

For most of the holiday, I didn't do anything only wait until my parents told me to eat. They always ask me if these dishes are too salty, just because I once said not to be too salty, so they have kept this in mind so far. One day, my mom made a special dish and asked us a little proudly,how about it? My dad directly commented that this dish needs more oil, you need to fry it longer and so on. And I added that it doesn’t look very good. Yes, I don't like my mom's cooking, because my dad is a professional chef.

Then, my mom responded in a low voice: Can't you not always say this to me?

This is the first time I have noticed that my mom responded in such a low voice, her face was full of sadness, like a child who had been criticized.At that moment, I felt guilty for what I said. For so long, I have taken it for granted that I can say whatever I want to say in front of my mom, but I have never considered how she feels. Even if she did well, I have never been a face-to-face praise. But my little nephew did it naturally.

My little nephew is 4 years old this year. He is a smart and lazy boy. He doesn't like eating by himself, especially when he knows his mother is nearby. If there is an exception, it is the food he found to like.

One noon my mom did a very simple egg-fried rice so that my dad could fill his stomach and went out. After my dad gave my little nephew a taste, the exception happened. My little nephew rushed into the kitchen and told his grandma: I wanted to eat the same egg-fried rice as grandpa.   

Grandma: do you like it？

Nephew: yes yes, grandma made it delicious.I like it~

No doubt, my mom did it again with pleasure for my little nephew right away.This is the first time my nephew didn't need his mother to feed him since he stayed home. Seeing my nephew eating happily, my mom’s face was also full of smiles, the kind of satisfaction and pride, like a praised child.I can't help thinking about what I have lost as I grow up? When I was a child, what I expected of my parents is that can you praise me? But now I have forgotten this expectation. I didn’t even realize that my parents were children before they became my parents, and they needed to be praised.

Even though I am an old Toastmaster, I have been practicing using three shining points and one challenge to give feedback to others. I never realized that I have not used what I know above to communicate with my mom very well.

Yes, I must admit that I did not do well.

The words my mom responded have been in my mind,reminding me, can you praise me? Whether grown-ups or children, we all need to be recognized.