Did your parents ever say they were proud of you

My Father was so proud when I was chosen to run for Surrey.

Sadly never ever remember any praise from my Mother, I feel I lost so much confidence because of it,I was an only child and had a very lonely childhood never encouraged to have friends to play.

If they did I don't remember it. Comments like, 'Well done' or 'You've worked hard' were used as encouragement rather than high praise and being proud of yourself was seen as bragging.

No and it could of been that my real mother died when I was three. My dad was a stiff upper lip I did try hard at school,but was never praised. My dad remarried and my stepmam was ok but again wasn’t a happy childhood. Always praised my boys and hope they know how proud I’ve always been of them.

Yes , frequently, when I had done something they were proud of, even into adult life.

No, that kind of thing wouldn't be encouraged.
Other people told me my mum was very proud of me though.

Absolutely not.

Oh no, they would never have said it, it would have made me conceited. When we lived in pubs though, I’d often catch my dad passing my school report and any awards round the regulars in the bar. Oh dear, they must have been bored stiff! And he did once say that the women in the family had all the brains, and the men had all the looks, which I guess was meant to be complimentary. I never felt the need for constant praise though, because I just knew I was loved and I knew they were proud of my achievements.

There were seven of us. I was the one who went to grammar school. My mum loved me and was very proud of me although she didn't use those exact words.
My dad on the other hand hardly ever spoke, was rarely at home (pub every night) and didn't seem to care.
I found out later that he kept in his suit pocket a photo of me in my school uniform and showed it to his pals. I wish he had told me.

I think there is much better communication between parents and children nowadays.

No. It wasn't really the done thing. I think my father was proud in his own way.

When he died, my mother was going through one of his jackets and found a picture of me that was in the local paper when I won a scholarship to University.

He'd kept it all those years. I was quite touched; he never showed any emotion and had a formidable temper. It seemed completely out of character.

I could never please my mother, no matter what I did.

This has made me really sad reading how many dint feel loved. I do hope my own children and grandchildren know that they and DH are the centre of my world. I am not sure whether or not my mum and dad ever said they were proud of me but they certainly loved me. My brother and I we are always loved by mum and dad along with my DH and my SIL. We were always treated the same. I have always known how lucky I have been

Not that I remember! People weren't given to effusive language when I was growing up, maybe our parents generation lived through and experienced some of the worst aspects of a world war, possibly a factor in not showering us with praise.

Certain naff c'lebs like to share with the world, the messages sent to offspring on birthday, which usually includes something along the lines of "we're so proud of you" what for! for drawing breath Everyone's proud of someone these days for doing bugger all!

Lets be proud of those who deserve it such as our medics and health workers.

I don’t think they used the word ‘proud’ but it didn’t matter. I knew there was love, they did say ‘well done’ at times. They helped me when I needed it, created a space for me to study, made sure I was warm and had good food to eat, gave me a hug. It wasn’t necessary to say they were proud, their actions said it for them.

No sadly.
They were however immensely proud of my brother.
Classic golden child and scapegoat.

Puzzler61 - thank you for your kind words x

My mother didn’t believe in praise. It would have made me big headed was I think her reasoning.

She was pretty quick at criticising.

It appears that she praised me to other people ( my siblings for example) But never to my face. And to me she said how great my siblings were.

I knew I was loved, but my parents never said they were proud of me. I passed my 11+ and I know they were pleased, but they never said so. My older sister hadn’t passed, and I think they didn’t want her to feel out of it. (A lot of us mention the 11+ don’t we, shows how important it seemed).

My parents thought it would make you big-headed to be told how great you were. Heaven knows what they would think to many children nowadays, who are constantly being told how brilliant and amazing they are.

My parents never said that directly to me but in conversation with others they said so. I don't think it was considered good for the child to praise them in those days.
No overt signs of affection either and I did find it difficult as an adult to hug my family.

No, never. I wasn’t in to amateur dramatics, I was a county swimmer, but I could have been the prime minister and it would never be as good as the other three who followed in their passion of Am Dram!!
My mother still says I was a crap mother and has said to my DD on many occasions that I was never maternal and didn’t enjoy being a mum. She couldn’t have been further from the truth in saying that, luckily my DD told her so too!!!
They were not interested in me as a young person or an adult, as I never ‘tipped my hat‘ to them like the others did/do. I don’t care anymore though ?

BladeAnnie you’re not an awful person.
Well done for becoming a Nurse later in your life. That’s amazing. ?

I knew I was loved and yes they told me they were proud of me. They thought I was clever and I could do whatever I chose to do. I was one of four and don't think any of us doubted we were the centre of our parents world. I had a great childhood.

I feel awful saying this but no. My mum still makes me feel like a naughty little girl and I'm 57!! I didn't have an unhappy childhood but always felt in the way. She was very dismissive of my children and wonders now why she sees so little of them. I overcame lots of problems throughout my life and was really proud of myself when I became a nurse in my 50's. It goes without saying my mum did not approve!! However my sister is a totally different story!! It used to bother me but not any more - I've got a nice life and really don't need anyone - even my mum - bringing me down. I still see her in case anyone is thinking I'm an awful person!! X

No. If I got 10/10 my teacher mum used to say I should have got 11/10 or if I got an A I should have got an A+. Even when I won ballet competitions she would criticise that I didn't point my toes at one particular moment. I could never do enough to please even getting into a top university.
I can't repeat what she said about the kind of mother I would make, (basically lacking), because it still upsets me 35 years later.

Not often, but they did when I passed 11-Plus exam.

When I told my mum I was pregnant - and I was married, age 24 - she scrutinised my stomach and calmly said “Are you sure you’re not barking up the wrong tree?”.
I’ll always remember it and it was hurtful. I was hoping for “Congratulations”.

When I passed the 11+ I had been promised a meal out - a very very rare thing in those times. Come the day, Dad took us all to the works canteen! Oh joy!!

No.

I had a funny upbringing - on the surface we had all we could need, but behind closed doors my parents waged WW3 and cuddles were non-existent.

My poor Mum suffered dreadfully with PMT and we, as children, never knew whether we would be confronting Jekyll or Hyde. Very challenging for children. I only realised what the problem was an an adult.

And above all else there was an unspoken rule that we never let on outside the home how difficult things were - we all put on a face. Very stressful indeed I promise you.

So sad, because they made a good job of being grandparents most of the time.