How to Make a Kid-Sized Communication Sandwich

Our kids need greater amounts of praise than correction from us. A communication sandwich helps us accomplish this.

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Over the years, I’ve read studies that argue how praising kids too much may lead to narcissism.

Take, for example, a study conducted at Ohio State University. A piece at Forbes notes that these researchers suggest, “Constant – and perhaps undue – praise for our kids’ tiniest accomplishments or non-accomplishments may have the unintended side-effect of creating an over-inflated ego.”

Well, if truth be told, I don’t think my kids have to worry about being narcissists. Unfortunately, it’s because overpraising them is not my problem. Instead, I struggle with praising them as much as I should.

Often I’m so focused on correcting them—you know, in my efforts to help them grow up to be Jesus-loving, law-abiding, well-mannered members of society—that I forget my kids need, crave even, praise.

And they don’t just need equal amounts of praise and correction, but greater amounts of praise than correction.

In fact, did you know that there’s an ideal praise-to-criticism ratio? According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, the ideal ratio of positive and negative comments should be 5.6 to 1.

I didn’t realize just how poorly I was failing until I read that. Gee thanks, Harvard.

So how am I working to improve my ratio? How am I seeking to do better at living out with my kids the biblical encouragement of 1 Thessalonians 5:11 to “encourage one another and build one another up”?

By making kid-sized communication sandwiches.

What a Communication Sandwich Is

If there’s one thing I receive the most comments on from my marriage book, Team Us, it’s the Communication Sandwich.

If you haven’t heard of this technique, it means that when you have constructive criticism to share with someone, you sandwich it between praise and affirmation. Much like you’d place liverwurst – or whatever meat you’d prefer not to eat – between two slices of homemade, fresh-from-the-oven sourdough bread, or between two fresh Krispy Kreme donuts, if that’s your thing.

I’ve come to realize that just as Ted and I serve each other communication sandwiches in our marriage, we can also serve them to our kids. It offers a great way to remember to feed our kids praise and affirm what they are doing well, as we also correct as needed.

So how can you too make kid-sized communication sandwiches? Let me give you an example. Here’s one I’ve made a lot lately while I drive. And I do mean, a lot.

How to Make a Kid-Sized Communication Sandwich

Praise/Affirmation

Girls, I love that you are so happy and that you’re enjoying the car ride. It’s nice to hear you get along well with each other.

Criticism

But I feel like you’re being a bit too loud for this small space. I’m having trouble concentrating on the road. Could you bring the volume down, please?

Praise/Affirmation

It sure is fun to have sisters sitting next to you during car rides, huh? You all are doing a wonderful job at appreciating each other.

Taking Apart the Communication Sandwich

You’ll notice that I affirm my kids for getting along and having good attitudes. After all, these are both positive, praise-worthy behaviors. And, since there are lots of incidents when they are fighting in the car, rather than enjoying each other’s company, this is an accomplishment on their parts.

Next, I mention that “I feel like” they are being too loud. Rather than making it an objective truth—although, it really is—I focus on how the noise level is personally affecting me.

Finally, I close my sandwich with that final piece of affirmation. I once again recognize how well they are getting along. Like I said, a noteworthy accomplishment.