Do I have spinach in my teeth?

About a year ago, I was given an article called “Spinach in your Teeth”. At first glance, I thought…”maybe I have green stuff in my teeth often” and this parent is giving me a hint! But after reading on, I realized the catchy title took me much deeper…

You know, kids truly say the darndest things – they are so honest…sometimes brutally so! I love the days when a middle schooler says, “I like your shoes” or when a Kindergartner says “you have a pretty dress”. But, there are some days when I have to laugh (instead of cry or hide) when a Second Grader says “your shoes don’t match” or when a Preschooler says “why is your hair like that?”

After reading this article, it makes me realize that the children tell me these things because they care about me (or maybe their filter isn't completely developed), but regardless, I feel better knowing they are being honest with me.

I liked the comparison of feedback to criticism. As the article states, few of us have an easy time either giving it or receiving it! We know that in our heads we need feedback; but our hearts don’t want to hear it. Feedback is truly a caring gesture!

So, if you and I are having a wonderful chat or simply saying hello…please let me know if I have toilet paper on my shoe, marker on my face, or spinach in my teeth! I’ll know the feedback is meaningful and important and that you care!

Enjoy the article!

Spinach in your Teeth Messages: The Art of Giving (and Receiving) Honest Feedback By Beth Keane, BA, MA, Studer Group National Speaker