I’m
on Facebook a lot, and I have to admit, my least favorite part about it is that people brag about their kids.
This
is not to say that I hate pictures of
people’s kids. I love those. Post pics of your kids, please. I do like seeing them. Kids are usually smiling, and having fun, and
doing cool and silly things that kids do.
And they’re always cute. So
please, continue with the photos of your kids.
And your cats. Oh my goodness,
don’t ever stop the cats.
But
the bragging. Sigh.
I
don’t know why I’m like this. Maybe it’s
because I don’t brag about my kids really ever. I’ve never been much of a braggart in
general. I’ve always been a little wary
of people who are. What are they trying
to hide with their pride?
Everyone
loves their kids. They want to share with
the world how awesome they are. I could
crow about my kids. They do plenty for
me to crow about. But I don’t. I consider that there might be a person out
there who can’t boast about his or her kids, and that keeps me from boasting
about my own. I don’t want to make
people feel bad because my kids are amazing.
Or maybe I don’t want people to look at my kids and be all, “Oh-ho-ho,
they’re so great, are they? Well, let’s just sit back and wait for them to
fall.”
Because
let’s face it: someday, my kids are going to fall.
But
then I wonder: am I less proud of my kids because I don’t post about the
wondrous things they do each day? Am I a
terrible parent because I don’t share with the world all the ways they make me proud
for just being their mom?
What does that even
mean, exactly?
I
love my kids. There are certain things I
love about them that have nothing to do with what they’ve accomplished or even the
intrinsic parts of our relationship that began with me carrying them in my body
for all those months and then raising them all these years. They’re turning into people whom I love for
other reasons. Here are a few:
I
love that he keeps his room neat.
I
love her ability to make crafts from cardboard, even though there are half
finished projects all over the house.
I
love that they like each other’s friends.
I love that he looks back 3 times while walking to the bus stop just to see if I’m still watching him walk to the bus stop. I love that he waves and smiles.
I love her loud, open-mouthed laugh.
I
love that they ask how each other’s day was.
I
love his sensitivity. He thinks about
things.
I love that she sticks up for her dad.
I
love that they both consider Pop-Tarts appropriate gifts to give and receive.
I
love his passion for video games, even though he spends way too much time on
them.
I
love her hair.
I
love that when they get mad at each other they can’t stay away from each other,
even though it’s frustrating and I want to bang my head against the wall.
I
love his low, subversive chuckle.
Love that she’s an unapologetic carnivore.
I love his freckles.
I
love that she has a safe place for everything.
I
love that he sticks up for me.
I
love that when watching her play basketball I can see myself in her movements,
even though I was never an athlete.
Love that he loves strawberries.
I
love her self-confidence. She knows who
she is, today.
I love how he communicates with his eyes.
I
love her abiding optimism.
I love that even though they sometimes say they hate each other, I can tell that they don't.
*******
I don't think it's the big "braggy" things that make us love them. It is the little things, like these that do. This is perfect. And I think you should post it on Facebook. Although you probably already have... ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine! It's definitely the little things that make them who they are that I love the most. xoxo
DeleteLoved this.
ReplyDeleteThanks Corie. xo
DeleteWhat you love about them, is totally NOT braggy. Carry on. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, she totally looks like you!
ReplyDeleteAnd if giving Pop Tarts as gifts is wrong, I don't want to be right.
My brother and sister gave me a jar of olives for my 7th birthday. I mean, I liked olives and all but really, not that much. At least I got a dollhouse from my parents.
I love this.
ReplyDeleteI feel like you do about a lot of this. Sure I love to talk about my children etc, but blogging or FBing about them has never been my thing. I think it "Tries too hard" and I am not a big fan of that.
however, I love how and WHY you love your gorgeous kids. Someday when they find this post and read about the all the stuff you find so incredible about them (after they get over the "MOOOMM, OMG, you posted that?") I know they will be so happy to know, deep down, how much their mom thinks of them.
so many things about this post were RIGHT. (and you didn't even have to brag to do it. ;) )
xo
Oooh, good one. I've been thinking about this one ever since yesterday...partly because I also rather strongly dislike "braggy" posts...but realize, I might *be* one of those people! :( I try not to be..but I'm not sure if I succeed or not.
ReplyDeleteI think what specifically drives me (more than a little) nutty is when people never post anything else on Facebook, and ONLY use it as a platform to brag. Then, I think it feels worse. If I have a friend that regularly engages about a variety of things on social media, it doesn't bother me much, because I feel like I'm getting a full picture of their life, and sure, being proud of the kids falls comfortably into that. But if the only time they show up there is to make a grand announcement...it becomes annoying and kind of awkward, frankly.
Your post was a good reminder to check the things I'm 'sharing'...both for the consideration of my kids AND my friends (who I might be annoying!). :)
And, I loved your reflective post about the things that REALLY matter (more than childhood 'accomplishments')...the things that make them who they are!!
You have such great kids Andrea. Reading through your "love" list made me smile.
ReplyDelete