Parents who think only their children are great!

[Braunwyn]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Don't bet on it!

Surely you remember, just from being a kid yourself, the kids who could "do no wrong"?
As the kids get older and do stuff that ranges from "naughty" (the stereotypical stealing from the cookie jar) to really wrong (underage drinking for ex), there are parents who are sure some other kid was a "bad influence" and that their kid would never do anything like that on his/her own. The latter may be true in a sense, as "mob psychology" does kick in.

My best friend during middle school stopped being my friend because her mother thought I was a bad influence. We started getting in trouble and while it broke my heart at the time, in hindsight I see that it was the right thing to do. We were getting in trouble and the best solution is often to change their environment. Of course, that's a different thing from what I think is being discussed here, which I believe is petty, goofy parents. Those I don't really recall, but I think I tend to be in my own world much of the time.

[monemi]

Originally Posted by Raena77

How many parents have delt with the young yuppy parents who only think their kids are so perfect?


How do you deal with their arrogance?

What do you mean? My kids are perfect.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by Braunwyn

My best friend during middle school stopped being my friend because her mother thought I was a bad influence. We started getting in trouble and while it broke my heart at the time, in hindsight I see that it was the right thing to do. We were getting in trouble and the best solution is often to change their environment. Of course, that's a different thing from what I think is being discussed here, which I believe is petty, goofy parents. Those I don't really recall, but I think I tend to be in my own world much of the time.

I used to work in a kids' mental health facility, and sometimes the psychs would recommend that kids who were getting in trouble with friends change schools. OTOH, I have known kids (or really, their parents) who have changed schools, only to find another group of kids to get in trouble with.

[Angelcake4]

Originally Posted by Raena77

How many parents have delt with the young yuppy parents who only think their kids are so perfect?


How do you deal with their arrogance?

I understand 100% where you're coming from. Having four kids, I have lots of friends with kids of their own. Most of them are great parents and love their kids. They share their kids' successes and we all cheer for one another's families.

However, I have one friend in particular, who says everything her kids do is oh so, so great and exceptional. And I mean everything. She has moved her son to three different schools and is now homeschooling him because the teachers picked on him and the school had the nerve to tell her that they thought there may be an underlying emotional problem - they wanted to test him. She said no and yanked him out. It doesn't end there - he's had to leave every group of which he's been a member (scouts, lego groups) - something always goes wrong and it's always someone else's fault. She's the same way with her daughter.

Having said that, I probably also offended some people in my early parenthood years by sharing too many of my first-born's achievements. Yes, it was wonderful that my son was in gifted classes, a great artist, loved sports - but people didn't want to hear it. If parents are sharing stories about how their little Johnny needs help in reading - no one wants me chiming in about what an advanced reader my kid is. That's just ridiculous and off-putting. I wasn't terribly extreme in bragging about my kid, but I reign it in. I tell all my kids (in our home) that I think they are wonderful in their unique ways - we celebrate each other's achievements, go out to dinner, a big to-do in our home. But I don't go around bragging to everyone about my kids' achievements. My kids know I am proud of them and think the world of them, but this has nothing to do with anyone else.