Do you brag about your kids?

frazzled1
Tue, 05 Dec 2006 07:51:52 +0000

My highly personalized definition of bragging: if I like you, you’re not bragging.

I’m thrilled when someone asks about my daughters, but I can’t initiate their accomplishments as a topic of conversation without feeling like a jerk. My big objection to bragging is that few others feel the same restraint. In fact, because I don’t brag about my kids, some acquaintances presume I have nothing to say on the subject and must therefore be dying for a little vicarious peek into the life of Mom of Superchild.

I agree with curmudgeon when he says above that “you don’t tell people, you let people tell you.” There are many CC posters whose children are just … amazing. The kids I consider most gifted are those whose accomplishments I’ve had to infer after following the board for a few years. Their parents post their children’s accomplishments sparingly, only on the appropriate threads, and with an admirable matter-of-fact humility. I figure these folks aren’t exaggerating one whit, so their kids really are that brilliant or talented or unique. (I’d identify 'em, but I don’t want to embarrass 'em.) It’s helpful, not bragging, when a parent posts a kid’s stats or class rank on admissions or merit aid threads for particular schools. But some manage to slip such info into the extra-long sheet threads.