The Ego

I suppose I'm not going to win mom of the year of performing the opposite of what's considered acceptable parenting these days, but I compliment my children. Sure, I do the mindless 'good job' a lot (which I've recently read is the equivalent to pouring drano down their throats, so now I attempt to give a 'you did it' which is much more socially acceptable), and we hi-five a lot, and I hug on a regular basis (nightmares, I'm causing). I had always believed that lots of positive reinforcement would equate to a confident and well-adjusted adult (that probably always needs their mommy around to give copious amounts of hi-fives).

Until recently I hadn't seen the actual affects of said positivity. But it all changed last night. Sylvia went to a schoolmates house after school to play. When she got home, she told me how well they played, how they got along splendidly, how her house is way more awesome than our house and why can't we have a house like theirs, ect ect... I digress. She did mention of a slight hiccup that occurred in their JOYFUL evening of BLISS: they got in a disagreement.

Syl: Camille (name not accurate for sake of karma or something) and I got into a fight and we had to take a few minutes away from each other.

Me: Oh, that's too bad, but it happens. We all can't get along all the time.

Syl: Well, she gets really bossy.

Me: And you don't?

Syl: Well, I told her that when you have company over you have to do everything they say.

Me: That's a bit of a stretch, Syl. What we usually say is that you need to try to share and play kindly with your guests, not dictate everything you do together.

Syl: That's what she was doing, she wanted to do everything her way.

Me: Did you work it out?

Syl: She got really whiny, so I walked away and said I couldn't play with her. And you know what I sat and thought about?

Me: What?

Syl: I thought about all the things I know and Camille doesn't. I'm so much smarter than her, mom (chuckling proudly). It's unbelievable mom, it really is.

Me: (stunned, silent)

Syl: You're always saying how smart and special I am, and this just proved it to me.

Me: Listen (you little spoiled brat, though I kept that to myself) honey, we all know what we know and we can all learn more. You have no idea what she knows and she doesn't know everything you know. It's impossible to know whom is smarter, and it is so not important.

Syl: Then why do you tell me all the time?

Point taken, I guess I need to kick her down a few pedestals:)