We are getting ready to wrap up our first year with Haven. Hard to believe, but true! Everyday we are in complete awe of something new and different she is discovering, tasting, observing and doing. We are beyond thrilled that she is happy, healthy, independent and according to growth charts she’s right on target. While she’s just doing normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill baby things it is all special to us because we are her parents. Which brings me to the point of this…
Is anybody else utterly annoyed at the parents who are constantly bragging about their kids and how advanced they are?
Before I climb my soapbox I must preface with the fact that kids do extraordinary things. EVERY kid has a special talent. Every child is special, especially to those who love and support him, as it should be. I’m referring to the kids who do normal everyday things and their parents make it out to be like the kid just climbed Mount Everest.
Some things that I don’t qualify as amazing:
Your kid writing his/her name. Most every kid does it sooner or later.
Your kid learning to dress him/herself. Tie a shoe.
The appearance of teeth.
Sitting, crawling, walking and talking…we’ve done them since the age of the caveman. And, by golly, I think the little rascals that figure out how to scoot on their hineys have to be smart cookies, because NOBODY else is doing it. They are the future innovators, because they can see past doing it everybody else’s way.
Again, legitimately, for some children, these tasks are monumental. Special needs children have to work leaps and bounds harder than normal developing children and DO deserve a round of applause, awards and all the ice cream in the world when they learn a new skill. But, for the regular average kid out there, no marching band is needed.
I know that at some point I will eat my words here. Haven will inevitably do something that amazes me, I will document it on my blog and somebody will call me on it. I can see the comment now:
Hey, remember when you wrote *that* blog post? The one about kid bragging. Well, you are doing it. My kid knew how to blow bubbles in utero, so Haven learning to blow bubbles ain’t nothing special.
I was fortunate enough seven years ago to find a couple of playgroups that had non-bragging mommies in them, and those ladies are the ones who have remained my good friends. I think you will find braggarts in every stage of life and all over — from playgroup to tennis court to board room. It is annoying. The way I try to look at it is that most braggarts are crying out for attention for a reason. Helps me to understand their perspective, though I never feel compelled to be their sounding board.