pat on the back
鼓励一番
A:I've puzzled my brains about how to teach the children.
A:教育孩子的事真让我大伤脑筋。
B:What's your problem?
B:你怎么了?
A:My children can never be obedient even if I criticize them severely.
A:即使我严肃地批评我的孩子,他们也从不听话。
B:You need not always do that. Why don't you pat them on the back occasionally?
B:你不必总那么做,你何不偶尔也鼓励赞美他们一番呢?