Okay - I came to Canada from England and I was shocked (that's not an exaggeration) by the endless times I heard "good job", "well done", "way to go. Buddy" and "awesome". It's like a barrage of endless positive enforcement for just breathing independently.

Maybe it's a cultural thing but if your client's aren't originally from Canada, then I can relate.

I was also shocked by how often an instruction was presented as an option - "Dylan, will you please put on your shoes so we can get ready to go home?". LOL So much information, so many options, false impression that it's a request. I love the term used above "Cheerleading". Cheer leading is beyond irritating and annoying because it's false and feels false. Not saying you are saying it falsely but that it's false that praise is needed for basic expectations and so it feels that way too.

How often do you praise your children and daycare children?
When they have achieved something which took at least some effort. I'm not talking about pressing some stickers into a book, I'm not talking about putting their shoes in the right place or their coat on the hook - unless they are young and it's the first time they've ever managed to do it independently.

I encourage verbally, "You can do it", "Look what you are doing and you'll be able to manage", "You try and if you try hard and still need help in a while, I'll come and we'll try together", but praise is meant to promote an achievement not a routine action. Otherwise it loses it's meaning and value.

What would you have said to mom?
Since you are confused about what she's objecting to or why, I would have said "Can you explain what you think I'm over doing" but I do understand that on the spot that might not have been what I thought of saying. You can ask her tomorrow though :-)