I can't believe it. I'm those one of those parents. Snotty, pretentious, bragging about my kid like it's my accomplishment, instead of genetics. Hell, I didn't even teach him to read; it was all HIM!!
Tonight I introduced my 5-year-old to two women, new to my Board meetings. I don't remember their credentials, but they are vastly experienced with 5-year-olds. One immediately guessed that he was 5 (he corrected her to 5 1/2), and the other guessed that he was in Kindergarten or 1st grade. At his pause, she slowed it down to "discovery Kindergarten." A fair assessment. But I encouraged him, prompting him to respond with "Kindergarten" and then full-day.
But then the nice woman encouraged him further with "I bet you're learning some words. Do you know your sight words?"
To which I said "he's reading chapter books." To which she nicely answered, since she teaches early reading, "oh, we're doing chapter books," and I somehow felt the need, somewhat snottily, to reply: "He's reading on a second grade level."
I think I threw up a little in my mouth listening to myself. Why the F did I care? Why the F did I need to brag?? I'm proud of him, and I guess I'm not used to meeting strangers who don't know he's gifted. Most people who know him already understand that.
But I love the wrap-up. One woman mentioned that he's doing great on reading, and I responded, to my son, about how important reading is. My son got a little shy and jumped in my arms, giving me a kiss on the mouth. (I never thought I'd mouth-kiss my kid, but that's another story.)
And the woman said, "And it's always important to smooch your mom."
I love him. I rarely brag outside our interested circle. But I am that obnoxious mom at heart. Look, my son is gifted. Look, he's smart. I must be smart, too! Love him! Love me! Respect and awe the great, wondeful genius!!
Ugh. I think I threw up in my mouth again.
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fireeyes24
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That's why the need to brag and care, cause you're proud of him. My mom still does this. "My boy can read on the second grade level!" nowadays doesn't sound like a brag but I'll take it as they come!! ;)
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It may be genetics, but I personally think that my kids are my masterpiece. They are the best thing I will ever make and I take pride in them everyday. You should do the same. Don't feel bad for bragging about your child. You are showing him that you are proud of him and he will remember that as he gets older!!
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Thanks everyone for your comments. I am proud of him, and I do try to remind him that it's a gift, that what I'm most proud of is that he loves to learn, not that he's naturally smart. That "loving to learn" is a great attitude and will do great things for him.
I just don't want to push him for my own self-interests. I want to nudge him, encourage him, praise him, for the good things he does. And nudge him, encourage him, kick him in the pants (metaphorically) when he doesn't make good choices.
[I personally think that my kids are my masterpiece. ] Great attitude, ash!
Now they are adults and I doubt either of them ever picks up a book. They got to high school and stopped cold with the reading.
My daughter was a slow to learn reader, but now she has her nose in a book all day long (age 11). I'm happy but think in a few years it might change.
Anyway, don't get too attached to reading as an indicator of intelligence, or you could be headed for a fall is all I am saying.
* He farts and blames it on his stuffed bear.
* He claims he "misunderheard" me when he doesn't like my ruling.
[don't get too attached to reading as an indicator of intelligence, or you could be headed for a fall is all I am saying.]
He's wicked smart, both in a good and bad way. Reading is just his current thing.
[As long as your children know you're proud of them, the rest of this stuff doesn't matter. It's okay.]
Thanks. He knows I'm proud, and he knows I love him.
Giftedness carries responsibility and I've seen it handled really well with a resulting amazing adult, and I've seen it handled so that all you get is a really smart grown up toddler.
Raising a kind, responsible person is ALWAYS reason to be proud, whatever their gifts or ours.
I wasn't implying ANYthing about you or your parenting or your son.
Odette, I did the same thing! Good luck with the potty.
Seattle, you weren't being high and mighty. I think what I love most about him is his compassion and kindness. I try really hard to encourage that, because that's more important than patting yourself on the back for being smart.