Miss Manners: How do I accept kind comments about my child without bragging?
A parent is unsure how to respond to compliments about their child, feeling that saying “thank you” seems like taking credit and that agreement feels like bragging.
Liam Carter 
Dear Miss Manners: I always make sure to say "thank you" when I receive a compliment, but I find myself hitting a wall when people say kind things about my child. While I am incredibly grateful for those remarks, I struggle with how to respond. It feels strange to accept the praise as if it belongs to me, but agreeing with the compliment feels like bragging. How should I handle this?
The Verdict on Parental Praise
Gentle Reader: Rest assured, accepting a compliment about your child is not the same as bragging, as you are simply responding to someone else’s observation.
Beyond that, what other options do you truly have? You certainly cannot disagree with the person offering the praise. If it helps ease your conscience, consider that accepting the compliment is a small balance against the moments when you have had—or will inevitably have—to take full responsibility for your child’s misdeeds.
For more advice from 205focus.com, or to submit your own inquiries, reach out to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, via email at dearmissmanners@gmail.com, or by post to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
