Children need encouragement. If you only speak to your child when he is being "bad" he will learn to be "bad" just to get the attention from you that he needs. Praise your child, when he does deserve it. Be sincere, not sarcastic or phony about it. You wouldn't tell your best friend that she is driving you crazy ten times a day... why talk to your child like that? Adults understand better but still like to get praise for a job well done too. Try some of these phrases when they apply to a situation, and come up with your own. Only use them when you mean it. Don't assume your child knows you are proud of him or appreciate the good things that he does, tell him. Homework, housework, sports, video games, even learning to tie his own shoes... they are all important and if you act like it's nothing, he'll think so too.

Good thinking.

You're really working hard today.

That's the best you have ever done.

You haven't missed a thing.

Nothing can stop you now.

I've never seen anyone do it better.

You are really improving.

You've got it made.

You make it look so easy.

You did a lot of work today, I'm so proud of you.

Keep up the good work, you are so smart.

Now you've figured it out, great job!

I couldn't have done it better myself.

That's first class work.

Keep working on it, you are getting so much better.

I like the way you did that.

Keep on trying, I can't believe how great you are doing.

One more time and you'll have it, wow!

You must have been practicing.

You should be very proud of that work.

That's quite an improvement.

How did you get so smart?!