tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576172857842332819.post6890617390049831704..comments2023-09-22T06:53:04.880-04:00Comments on The MOMentum of Motherhood:: Cara: Guest BloggerCara http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999409694420127637noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576172857842332819.post-39433698508297542822011-02-09T07:47:18.130-05:002011-02-09T07:47:18.130-05:00Meant to put another two cents in the other day......Meant to put another two cents in the other day...reading certainly is fundamental. So is reading between the lines. And I am of the opinion that the anonymous are just ones who don't know how to register themselves on Google.Cara https://www.blogger.com/profile/05999409694420127637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576172857842332819.post-21480126909798076852011-02-07T12:12:43.150-05:002011-02-07T12:12:43.150-05:00Wow. So much anonymity. If you've got somethin...Wow. So much anonymity. If you've got something say stand up and say it.<br />Here goes: reading is fundamental ..<br />Rosie did not say diddly about telling her kid he is not as good as other kids, just that he isn't better. Big difference. HUGE.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02983128098002488821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576172857842332819.post-55514489003316970482011-02-07T10:29:48.822-05:002011-02-07T10:29:48.822-05:00I agree whole heartedly with some of this post, ho...I agree whole heartedly with some of this post, however, on certain points I respectfully disagree. I think that it is quite contradictory to tell a child that "life is not a competition with another person, you should only compare yourself to yourself" and then in the same breath tell him that while you don't want to crush his feelings, he is not special, and is not on the "superstar team" because he is "not as good as some of the other kids". I do believe that life can be full of hard knocks but I do NOT believe that as a mother, it is my job to knock my kid down so that he can learn that it hurts before someone else gets to teach him that. I know first hand that it takes pride, commitment and effort to be successful but my mother taught me that without crushing my feelings AND without blowing sunshine up my you-know-what. I was taught that I have certain abilities and that I had to do the best I could with what God had given me. Period. There was no comparing me w/ others as THEY were not part of the equation. I was taught to respect the talents of others and acknowledge my own talents, all at the same time. I am very confident in my belief that I do not have to hurt other people to succeed or to teach anyone a lesson. I agree that trophies for "participation" may not be as valuable as those earned for significant improvement or exceptional performance. I also believe that when talking about young children, it really does matter "what you call the team" because it speaks volumes about the adults, not the kids. Some kids may demonstrate natural athletic talent early on, but there really are no "superstars" on local level youth/club teams. That designation is more appropriately saved for elite, travel-type teams designed for children whose talents truly exceed those of others in his age group. In my opinion, using labels to suggest that one group of kids is better than their peers unfortunately tends to speak to the insecurities of the adults involved. I believe that God has blessed everyone in some way or another, some "gifts" present themselves earlier in life and some later. And, since I believe that our talents and the talents of our children are God given, aren't we are supposed to demonstrate modesty while celebrating their blessings? I think, as adults we are best to love our children for who they are, special in their own right. We must always remember that while we may want our children to do as we say, our children will do as we do. Our generation seems to have forgotten that kids are not just small adults. Their hearts and souls need to be nurtured so that they can grow into the kind of adults that we will admire.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576172857842332819.post-82300336433466785342011-02-07T08:58:19.074-05:002011-02-07T08:58:19.074-05:00Thank you so much for being a voice of reason! I a...Thank you so much for being a voice of reason! I am so tired of the judging that goes on. Parenting is the hardest and most important job out there and while there are lots of parents who I do not agree with when it comes to philosophy, there is not a single parent. I know who doesn't truly love their child. As I tell my kids, you are responsible for you...no matter what anyone else is doing. It's a good lesson for grown ups too. At the end of the day when you put your head down to sleep you need to sleep with yourself, be proud of who you are and what you do, yours is the only opinion that matters, cause you can't fool yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4576172857842332819.post-40854427390102842162011-02-07T08:14:51.131-05:002011-02-07T08:14:51.131-05:00When it comes to parenting everyone has their own ...When it comes to parenting everyone has their own style and unless a child is being hurt it's best not to judge that their way is the better or worse way.I am in a position where I see a lot of different families all with very different economic and familial situations.<br /><br />I have to say I agree about the "special" thing. I cannot stand that when children are little everyone gets a trophy. That is not life. I think that personal accomplishments breed self esteem and confidence.<br /><br />There are many different kinds of mothers out there and most of us adore our kids and do our best. My mother was not Miss PTA, she was not home baking cookies and making gourmet dinners. She didn't make sure I did my homework,go to religion,or join sports or clubs, she was very hands off in those departments. She was going through a lot. BUT, my mother taught me to love people of different colors and religions, she brought me into The City and I learned that "different" was cool,she taught me to appreciate art,and music and all kinds of off beat stuff. She also taught me, you can go through a lot, not be perfect and still be a great mother.<br /><br />Thanks Mom -- because even though you weren't perfect, you were (and are) perfect for me :)Lisa Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17167590449252158558noreply@blogger.com