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Simply Angie

The Power of the "I Saw That" Moment

Catching them in the act (of being good)

Angie Berg

Feb 14

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“I saw you sharing your toy with your little brother. That was very kind.”

Parents and teachers are often on high alert for “disruption.” We have our ears tuned for the sound of a sibling squabble or the crash of something breaking. When we hear it, we move in quickly to correct and discipline. While that is necessary, if we only move in when things go wrong, our children begin to feel that our attention is a penalty they pay for their mistakes rather than a gift to be enjoyed.

What if we became just as intentional about “beholding the good”?

Proverbs 15:3 reminds us:

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

Notice that the Lord doesn’t just watch for the evil; He beholds the good. When we tell a child, “I saw that,” and follow it with a specific positive observation of their character, we are mirroring the heart of our Heavenly Father. We are telling them, “I see the fruit of the Spirit growing in you, and it brings me joy.”

How to master the “I Saw That” strategy:

Label the Virtue: Move beyond a generic “Good job.” Use the language of character. “I saw how you let your brother go first; that showed a heart of meekness.” Or, “I saw you keep working on that math problem even when it was hard; that is diligence.”
The “Overheard” Blessing: Let your child “overhear” you telling someone else (a spouse, a grandparent, or a friend) about a right choice they made. This reinforces their identity as a person of integrity.
The Silent Note: Leave a sticky note on their mirror or a scrap of paper in their shoe. “I saw you pick up those toys without being asked. Thank you for being a servant in our home.”
Focus on the Heart, Not the Result: Sometimes a child tries to be kind, and it still ends in a mess. Celebrate the intent. “I saw that you were trying to help your sister. I appreciate your kindness, even though the milk spilled.”

When we consistently point out the “good report,” we make the right path beautiful to our children. We aren’t just “policing” their behavior; we are “shepherding” their desires.

Why this matters

This practice changes the entire atmosphere of your home. It moves the child from a defensive posture (”Am I in trouble?”) to a receptive one (”My parent notices when I do right.”). It builds a deep well of charity that makes the difficult, “firm” moments of discipline much easier to navigate because the child knows you are their biggest fan, not just their loudest critic.

Blessings,
Angie

P.S. I wrote this newsletter for my Parent Helps subscribers, but it really challenged me in a way that I felt compelled to share it with all of you. I hope you find a way to implement this biblical principle into some part of your life, regardless of who is on the receiving end.