Competitive parents

[HR313]

After taking my LO swimming today and hearing another mum pipe up how amazing and talented her 4.5 yr old son is (can doggy paddle on his own etc) and that he’s so advanced for his age. Another mum chimed in saying her daughter was ‘so clever’. I am absolutely dreading my LO starting school and hearing all these competitive parents bang on about how their child is better at x,y,z etc. It makes me sad that parents are like this, I don’t understand why they would be as it puts so much additional pressure on young children. Anyway, rant over 😅 being hormonal and pregnant certainly doesn’t help!

Just nod, smile and say "that's nice".

Like it really matters if you tell the world how amazing your kids are, only you and others very close to them will be proud of them. Other parents don't give a flying F what other kids can and can't do.

I've learned to let them have there moment my dd was sleeping through 10-6 at two months 10-7 at three months i stopped telling people because apparently this is not normal my mom warned me if I wanted friends never brag 🙃

Have a giggle inside, smile and swim away leaving a little warm yellow trail floating its way towards them...

😁 of course I'm kidding

Happens everywhere, mums, dads, grandies you name it. Probably happened with comparing kids paintings on cave walls. Just because you hear it doesn't mean it has to affect you. Just see it for what it is and move on or move the conversation on.

Think I’ll go with the smile and say how wonderful it is that little Johnny can do x,y,z. Trouble is it’s over hearing other people’s conversations, it makes me feel like I’ve failed my LO if she hasn’t achieved the same as her peers. I find this parenting malarkey rather draining at times 😅

Don't worry, they won't necessarily be telling the truth anyway.

And they won't be bragging about all the negative stuff either. They're not going to tell you that little Johnny sucks the cats tail, or little Amelia stuffs her teddy bear down the toilet, are they?!

@HR313

Think I’ll go with the smile and say how wonderful it is that little Johnny can do x,y,z. Trouble is it’s over hearing other people’s conversations, it makes me feel like I’ve failed my LO if she hasn’t achieved the same as her peers. I find this parenting malarkey rather draining at times 😅

Once you can recognise this for what it is you'll likely be in a better space. It's ok to feel and be proud of your child's achievements. What kids can and can't do doesn't matter. Are they happy, loved and safe, that's it! If people want to be competitive, let them. You don't need to get in the ring and it shouldn't have any impact on you and your child.

Comparison is the thief of joy. Just enjoy this time with your wee one.