Wednesday, July 15, 2009

My kid is better than yours...

I kid you not, I heard that sentence from a mom at the pool the other day (and she wasn't joking!) She was referring to her son...comparing him to another little fella at the pool. She was talking to the child's mom and I heard it getting a wee bit heated (over something as silly as baseball, mind you). "My kid is better than yours" was the last statement made before one disgruntled mom walked away.

I had to really sit on this one for a bit. Why is it that people can't be sincerely happy for other's accomplishments? I am in the business of building children up, not to tear them down. I worry about children who don't have a strong self image or have parents who don't teach them that failure leads to growth.

Aaaahhhh, it's these things that keep me awake at night. I am so proud of all of your kids! I want you all to know that you can leave me a message and I will applaud your little one's successes and be their biggest cheerleader. The world is too big of a place for such small minds. I don't have time for it. I feel like doing a "social" project at the pool that I learned in college. You have a three ring binder with a piece of paper with everyone's name on a piece. You pass it around and use a positive adjective to describe that person, along with a little note of encouragement. It's a powerful thing to have a piece of paper in front of you with tons of wonderful words that describe you.

Off my soapbox (I've been on it a lot this summer...sorry :( It's therapeutic for me to get these feelings out.

Here are a few favorite pics from the week. We have been BUSY with playdates, swim days, photoshoots, midnight viewings of Harry Potter (sooo much fun), cleaning out closets, getting ready for weddings, gearing up for school and dance.... too much! :)

To Marla

Giving the deuces
This is Paige's best friend. We love her. Her mommy wanted me to take some headshots and I LOVE this one. It is sooo her. She's Paige's hip hop counterpart and cohort on the dance floor. A little love, this child is.

Beautiful depth of field!
My beautiful rose and a few other roses :)

11 comments:

Courtney said...

Love the photos. I agree with you. I am a teacher and I am often amazed at how critical parents are of children. THEY ARE KIDS!

Julia said...

What an incredible show of poor judgement as a parent, it's hard to imagine that would actually come out of someone's moust and they wouldn't be kidding!

Sounds like you're a great teacher Missy, and we already know a great photographer - these photo's are lovely!

Kate said...

Well...you know I have to hop off my lazy on vacation frame of mind to comment on this one...it's deplorable and so so sad for the child of a mother who utters such nonsense. How two mothers could even get to arguing about this is competely crazy. Truly. Nice matters. I would have had a hard time holding my tongue on this one.

I love your pictures and your summer sounds heavenly!!!

mommy24treasures said...

oh that is so terrible isn't it Missy? ugh! That is one attribute I do not have a lot of compassion for either. Extremely irritating.
I have to worry about what is said to her chld when he does not happen to perform up to her expectations.

Your still lifes are lovely.:)

Leslie said...

I can't imagine a parent acting that way. Just crazy and plain stupid.

Love your photo's...they are always so darn cool.

I so wish I could see you before the dreaded Monday comes.

Heather said...

You are so talented! I just can't get enough of your pictures. (If I am ever in your neck of the woods, I am definitely gonna have you take some pics of Zoe!)

I'm right there with you. As teachers we work so hard to get kids self-esteeem built up as well as help them overcome their failures. Wow! Not so sure I would have been able to keep my mouth shut like you did. I think you should do the "random positives" - that's what I call it in my classroom - activity next time you're at the pool. Report back. I'd love to know what the reaction was!!!!

Kerry said...

Isn't it amazing, Missy. I hear things like this from parents all the time too. I just can't believe it. Sometimes I just can't bare the waiting rooms listening to the moms and their competitive talk and child (self) centered conversations. Not a good example for our children!
Hugs. I so hope my girls have teachers like you along the way.
Love the photos as always. Very cool techniques.

a Tonggu Momma said...

I just don't understand this attitude at all. We are all of us equal in God's eyes. And the chances of a child growing up to actually play college baseball, much less professional baseball - think of the statistics... kinda puts that comment and heated discussion into perspective, doesn't it?

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

You sing it sister.......I can't stand to hear people talk like that....especially parents, they should know better!!

Beautiful pictures....you know I love each and every one!

Lisa

Jennifer said...

Wow....some Mom's are CRAZY!

Your photos are amazing Missy! You should be so proud of yourself!

Jen

Heather said...

OMGOODNESS!!! NO! Who says that? You know, this irks me, I mean really irks me. I purposely teach my children they don't need to be the best at anything.period. They need to be healthy, happy, well-adjusted, polite, kind and compassionate.period. Blessed is the child that is yours Missy, what a fab mommy you will be. Paige has an excellent example in her big sister.

Thank you for sharing this, it reminds me of what I never want to do to my children!

Your pics are gorgeous as always.

Love you, girl!
Heather