How about as parents, we STOP commenting to other parents, ways to improve their children.  I noticed last week, a mom who was loudly talking about the parents (whom she had never met) of a child at the playground.  She was commenting how some parents should pay more attention to their children!  I thought that was awfully rude of her, especially because I am sure the parents of the child heard, and so did the child hiimself.

Today, a mom at Emma’s preschool jumped on me as soon as I walked in.  She told me how I needed to work with Emma and have a ’serious’ talk with her about participation.  OMG – did she really just say that to me?!?!?!  I mean, Emma just turned 3.  I don’t have very many expectations for her this first year of preschool.  She is going, to give me and Hannah some time to ourselves and because she is an active little girl who likes to learn and be with other kids.  That’s about it.  

Emma can’t write her own name just yet.  In fact, she prefers to colour than to practice her writing.  I haven’t worked too hard with her at home on this, more just practicing on holding the pencil correctly.  Emma can’t cut out an objects on it’s lines.  She makes a mess, but gets the job done her way.   Emma can use the scissors though and that is good enough for me.  I know that next year she will be better at all the things they are doing right now.  I know that by the end of the year she will be greatly improved over where she is today.  I am good with this.  I am not too good with putting a great amount of pressure on my kid, or another parent who is supposed to be helping, putting pressure and being disapointed in my child when she doesn’t meat expectations.

What does it really matter?  Making these comments hurt.  I was hurt and embarassed for those parents at the playground last week.  I was hurt and embarassed today picking Emma up.  I can’t imagine this mom was too much of a help to my daughter today, as she was pretty mad at her inability to participate.  How effective was this for my kid today – not much!

I did manage to sneak a quick talk with the teacher today.  She assured me that Emma is doing great and that I have nothing to be concerned about.  I sort of new that, but it was nice to hear it from a ‘professional’.  That other mom can shove it where the sun don’t shine!