If your child had a super accurate throwing arm at that age, would you downplay that ? if a parent noticed what a great climber your child was, would you downplay that ? If your child could dribble a soccer ball with crazy skills, would you downplay that ? I've about had it with people not wanting to "brag", for the fear they'll make another parent feel bad about ehri own child. There's nothing wrong with being "normal" !! I have no qualms about telling people what a great soccer player my son is - why shouldn't I also embrace his academic side ? It's a crazy world we live in.
I agree completely! I was reading this thread and was really confused about why we need to make our kids seem like less than they are. I'm quite honest about my daughter's skills but I can also commiserate about the frustration of having a Pre-schooler. A lot of times, parents I've talked to have not thought to do things with their kids until I mention my daughter can. I've had parents tell me they didn't know their kids could do puzzles or spell or whatever, until I mentioned my little one could.
I've never noticed putting anyone off, most often we share in challenges and cute stories and it usually ends with them jokingly telling me I've got my hands full. It's not bragging when you have a conversation with someone about your kids, just watch out for making it one-sided, let them tell you what makes them proud. I've found that most parents don't get jealous or feel bad about their kids, they are happy with who their kids are and let them be kids. Just because a kid doesn't read at 2 or complete 100 piece puzzles at 3 doesn't mean that they aren't bright, well adjusted kids. If you're weird about it, they'll be weird about it too and then the kids will be weird about it and it'll be a mess!
That's just my opinion/experience with it.
I'm glad you were able to voice your opinion that others shared.
During the preschool years, development is an especially sensitive time for most parents. My son is 2.5, many of his peers are behind in speech milestones and some are showing signs of learning disabilities. I think it's important that we are sensitive to other parents' vulnerable state. And like one of the previous comments mentioned, we will be raising our children with this community.
When my son gets older, it won't seem so weird to talk about his skills, he'll blend in more. When they are young, it just looks odd to see such young children having skills you don't normally see (that's why piano prodigies make the news).
When I was pregnant, there were symptoms of my son having neurological issues. When he was born, I just wanted to hear that scream (and wow did he). The entire first year, I waited for every milestone (and so did the doc), just for assurance that he was developing normally. His motor skills were behind in some areas and the doc would say, you never know, he could catch up. That year was wrought with worry. In retrospect, he was fine, but I'll never forget how it felt to see other children rolling over and crawling on time when mine did not. I didn't expect anyone to downplay what their babies were doing and I was happy for them, but, I did go home and say, "Honey, all those babies were rolling over by five months, what if something is wrong!"
I do agree that if we act "weird" about it, then we make it "weird" for them. That's why I asked these questions in the first place. But letting everyone know that my 2 y.o. is teaching himself to read and doing 100 piece puzzles
is going to make it weird. It just is, and so I am thankful for all the feedback on this forum topic, including yours.
