And my pet hate "you are a great mother". People mean it well, but its not a compliment about a woman as a person. That would be "you have great patience with your kids" or "I love your ability to explain complex things simply"
Just like saying "you look pretty" is not at all like saying "I love it when you wear your hair like that" or "that outfit realy suits you"
Not being a mum until mid 30s, I have found the way people talk to you changes overnight. All anyone seems to want to talk about is your kids! Yes, it is up to us as well, of course. But it is a two way process.
