I’m pretty sure the day the first parents were placed on this earth, they never intended to be the best. They did what they had to do – protect and care for their children the best way they knew how.
Once the population grew and more and more parents inhabited the earth, I’m guessing they weren’t all too concerned with one-upping each other, you know, on account of survival and everything.
Can you imagine? My kid’s spear is sharper than yours! Oh yeah, my kid survived can lift a boulder three times his weight! Maybe it happened, I dunno, all I do know is that competition in parenting is hurting our children.
It’s no secret that there are people in life who need to win, and not necessarily because they want you to lose, they just need to win more. And sadly, this need to win translates to parenting.
Sure, there are non-competitive parents who are winning every day. Like that dad who freaked out with excitement over his son’s math grade? Winner. Or that dad that built amazing costumes around his son’s wheelchair? Total winner.
But these parents aren’t working their parenting mojo for the glory; they’re winning by virtue of putting their kids first when it really mattered. These winners inspire me to be that incredible, do better, think more creatively, and honor my children even more.
But then there are the “other” parents; the parents whose sole purpose is to outdo under the guise of stellar parenting. The parent who brings provides snacks of boutique bottled waters and gourmet Whole Foods snacks in silent protest to your barrel of Costco cheese puffs. The parent who hosts yearly birthday parties you’d have to mortgage your house to afford. The parent who manages to consistently undermine the reality you’re working so hard to instill in your children. [read more…]
MOMMYFRIEND 
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