@agmoore 😊 , my dearest!

So, as a mum and grandmother you see no harm in complimenting the child's work itself, right? I see and respect your point. Plus, this explains your observation very well.

As the child ages, of course, creativity can be lauded in more realistic terms.

Thank you ;) <3

I do think Mueller & Dweck's study is fascinating.

Excellent question about the children's concern towards disappointing themselves or the researchers! In PART II of that very study, the students were asked by the researchers to write a letter to students from a different school. They were asked to narrate their experience regarding the activity. Several children from the "clever group" lied and/or inflated their scores.

The researchers said that :

all it took to shake these children's confidence, to make them so insecure and unhappy that they lied, was one sentence of praise.

My nephew is a naughty little one. My mother says he is just like me in "boy's version". My mother tells me that after being sent to the "naughty corner" for a few minutes and she said: "Abigail, you can go and play now!", I would reply: "Now I am staying here forever!" 😩

But J.P is well-mannered and likable, which helps his socialization skills very much.

As for Adrian, people just end up avoiding him. For the reasons you already know. But, you will be pleased to know he's got 2 cats for his birthday last July! :D

Thank you my dear, for this incredibly thorough feedback, and for pointing out aspects that add to my understanding towards the upbringing of children.

The temperature is dropping here and I am very much looking forward to autumn. Much love to you from cloudy Portugal <3 :*