273: You Don’t Have to Validate Everything Your Kid Does
Podcast: Oh Crap with JamiePublished On: Tue Nov 18 2025
Description: In this episode, I’m talking about something that’s taken over modern parenting—the obsession with validating everything our kids do. Somewhere along the way, we started thinking we had to be front-row cheerleaders for every kick, drawing, or math problem. But here’s the truth: that constant validation actually chips away at your child’s confidence. I share stories from my own time coaching baseball (yes, me!) and explain why kids are better without us hovering. We’ll talk about how overpraise leads to fragile self-esteem, how to shift from “good job” to meaningful feedback, and why letting your kids handle discomfort builds resilience that lasts a lifetimeTimestamps:00:00 — The “mom on her phone” parenting guilt trend02:15 — Why constant validation hurts kids’ confidence05:30 — Coaching baseball and what kids do better without parents watching07:00 — Why kids need freedom to deal with discomfort and conflict09:30 — Praise effort, not outcome — the “good job” trap11:00 — What to say instead of “I’m so proud of you”13:00 — How to help kids process accomplishments through storytelling15:30 — The danger of “you made me happy” parenting language17:00 — Teaching kids emotional boundaries — your feelings aren’t theirs18:00 — How to raise confident, grounded kids without overpraise19:00 — Final thoughts: you don’t have to validate everything they do👉 Sign up for my newsletterJamie's InstagramOh Crap! Cafe Parenting CommunityOh Crap! Potty TrainingOh Crap! I Have a ToddlerPaleovalley Protein SticksTherapeeBrick for Phones
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