It could be a coincidence. But I don’t think so.

Yesterday I wrote this post about how I was going to make an effort to start each day off by complimenting the kids and my husband every morning after reading this article about a teacher whose students are thriving since he started doing the same thing in his classroom every day.

Today was kind of crazy, and this morning I was all over the place, so I didn’t get to Number 3 and 4 until we were on our way to a swim meet around noon.

It was just the three of us, and I turned down the radio a couple minutes after we had gotten in the car, adjusted the rear view mirror, and I said to Number 3,

“You are a really good dancer.”

And then I said to Number 4, “And you are a really good singer.”

And you know what Number 3 said to me?

He looked right at me with a really confused look on his face and he said to me,

“Whoah. Mom. What’s going on?”

Exactly what I predicted in yesterday’s post. The kids would probably wonder what the fuck happened to their mom.

So I told him how I just wanted to start the car ride off by paying them both a compliment.

And then he said to me, “Wait, Mom. Start over. You give us each three compliments, and then we’ll give you three compliments.”

Huh.

I thought maybe after I had done this with them for a week or two that they’d want to start giving out compliments.

But I didn’t think it would start immediately.

So I gave Number 3 three compliments.

You are a great dancer.

You can play really nicely with Number 7.

You are one of the best all-around athletes I know.

He had a huge smile on his face.

Then it was my turn to compliment Number 4.

You are a really good singer.

You have an unbelievable memory.

You have a huge heart.

Her smile couldn’t have been bigger.

“My turn!” said Number 4.

“Mom, you are a great cook. You are an awesome swim coach. And you’re really good at singing Christmas songs.”

Awww.

“Now it’s my turn,” said Number 3. “There are so many things, I don’t know where to start…Um… you are a really good swimmer. You are good at helping me get organized. And you care about everyone. Not just our family. Everyone.”

Wow.

I had a little lump in my throat.

And then, rather than annoying the shit out of each other and touching each other and fighting over who was allowed to sing what songs, for the rest of the twenty-five minute ride, Number 3 and 4 played I’m going on a trip and I’m bringing a ____.

Maybe it was a coincidence.

But something tells me it might have something to do with the compliments.