Sunday, November 22, 2009

No my child is the smartest in the world

Ok I had to have that title just because this just gets me every time something comes up and parents have to brag. I know as parents we have every right in the world to brag and look at every little achievement as "One small step for man and one giant leap for mankind". Teaching preschool when parents would come into my class they would make comments like "They are going to start school early because they are so advanced" Then come to find out they are advanced in one area and well not doing so hot in other area's. When I would try and tell the parent that they are not getting all of the bench marks they would argue with me and tell me that I am wrong and their child is the smartest child in the history of the world. With which I want to reply "really, if they are so smart why did they have to shove a barkchip all the way up their nose to smell is and not be able to get it out?" But I hold my tongue and do my best to encourage them.

Now before my children were born I knew I would be the best parent on the planet. I had so much experience raising everyone elses children as a nanny and preschool teacher, how hard can this be? Well I am being sarcastic! I knew that I was far from perfect and that I would mess up and I started a savings account that will be just for their therapy when they get older and realized how much I really messed them up. But for now I just keep plodding away seeking God and His wisdom and hope that the good will outweigh the bad in the end. Ok I digress. So I vowed I would never be a parent that was like "Oh did you see that he clapped his hands and he is only 2 months old" or "I swear that she just counted to 10 and didn't need any help, and you know she is only 1 and a half"

All this to say that their is absolutly nothing wrong with bragging about your childs achievements and the milestones that they finally reach. I was excited and couldn't wait to tell my friends that "Ron crawled today" and he is a year. He just scooted on his bottom to get around. I have to admit this is our form of party entertainment. So bragging is good and I feel important to your child to know that "hey my mom is proud of me, and I will just go to therapy for a few years".

All this to say that sometimes we really underestimate how much our children really do understand. Ron was at the top of the stairs and I said "hey you wanna come down? Well we need to change your diaper, there is one on the floor behind you, can you get it?" Ok really I was just talking to him not expecting anything and low and behold he turned around grabbed the diaper that was a few crawls away and brought it back to me. I was a little shocked and excited. I couldn't wait to tell my friends that my child has now been trained like a dog to bring the paper to me. Ok so not really a dog but you catch my drift.

While I feel it is great and even important to brag and get all excited about your childs achievements, we don't have to come across like they are the smartest child in the world. Don't get me wrong I think all children are smart and incredibly talented and we should never short change that. We are all made in the likeness of our Creator and we need to remember that He Does Not Make Any Mistakes!

2 comments:

  1. I totally agree with you. I once heard that their understanding is way before their verbal. So they can understand before they can actually talk. Guess I'd better be careful what I say to him now (hehehe!)

    Loved how you referred to the "Ron scoot" as party entertainment, lol!

    I also think that you have a point. While we do want our children to know we're proud of them we don't want to raise a child who thinks he can do no wrong.

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  2. This was funny and oh so true. I get tired of people bragging about their kids and comparing theirs to mine in a round-a-bout way (sometimes very directly).

    I am proud of my kids and should probably express it more, but I don't like bragging. Anyway...this was great. Thanks.

    I hope you'll keep blogging from your new location so we can see your family and hear funny stories about you all as often as possible.

    Take care, we'll surely miss you guys. I hope for your sake the house sells quick.

    Nannette

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