<p>I have mixed thoughts about this thread. On the one hand, I’m glad it’s here; it gives me a chance to respond to a direct accusation of exaggeration/dishonesty specific to my accomplishments, posted in the Rep. Rangle thread - something I didn’t want to do earlier, not wishing to send that thread further off course (which is rather silly considering the thread is so hopelessly off message from the OP, but which is still completely o.k. considering whatever is the current topic is working just fine for those still participating) - </p>
<p>In any case, in response to the insinuatiation that I might have exaggerated, or was even outright dishonest, there are more than a few long time posters here who - following exchanges in PM over time, actually have my real name, email addresses, and, considering I have a name that isn’t common, a simple google search produces very exacting information about business and personal accomplishments. One or two of those posters either are still - or used to be - moderators, so, it’s not very likely that I would pretend one thing, while actually being another. Bottom line: yes, there really are people like me in the world, for which the original accuser should be very thankful. </p>
<p>In addition, this is an electronic community; if I were going to reinvent myself for the purposes of deceiving persons I do not know and will never meet, I wouldn’t cop to being a high school drop out, etc. I’d come up with something really way cool - I’d make myself an MIT graduate, a school I have always admired; (in my fantasies, I will study there someday). Oh, and I’d be a nobel prize winning scientist, or a doctor, or a professor. Plus I’d add three or four more children, and they’d be top scholars, athletes, musicians, and various types of prodigys (sp??) - two at least would be sons, since boys sound like they might be as much fun as girls. And their SAT scores would be perfect, and two or three of them would be vals (though I’d have to remember to stagger the years, or else I’d have to pretend to have had quads - oh but then at least there’d be something weird to post in the next breast feeding thread - I’m sure there will be a new one soon). Last, I’d add a husband, perhaps a nice, wonderful, world-acclaimed architect - that’s always been a fascinating profession, and they make lots of money, and it’s a profession I can spell, so such a husband would fit in perfectly in the million dollar home we would own. And he’d be six feet tall, former athlete, perhaps with a terminal degree from Princeton. But really, really last, I wouldn’t start threads about which car to buy; instead, I’d start threads along the lines of our middle child doesn’t want a Mercedes because his father, older sister, older brother, and me - we already all drive new Mercedes and trade them in new every year; should we give in to our middle child’s plea to provide a Porche instead, and if so, should we go to the dealer with him to chose the color, or would that be considered helecoptering??? and so on…</p>
<p>Having said all of that, the OP of this thread sort of strikes me like “is she a real blonde”. I have absolutely no idea if any parent here has exaggerated or lied or not, and, quite frankly, I don’t care. It makes zero difference to me, and I cannot understand why it matters to anyone else. </p>
<p>But even if there is conclusive “evidence” that someone’s child accomplished one thing and their parent dressed it up and trotted it out here as something bigger and better, in all fairness, there are so many awards, honors, offices, etc. that student in high school and even in college win, and, the huge crevices between child and parent communication (intentional and accidental), I can see where it is entirely possible for a parent to not understand or to misspeak on the specificity of an award or achievement, with no intention of being deceptive. High school graduation, my child was called to the stage NINE times to receive this award or that one - and she wasn’t the val or the sal (whoops, another missed opportunity - she coulda been, if I had only remembered to lie about it). The only one of them I remember was scholar-athlete of the year. Cannot remember the other eight, and, in college, it’s sort of the same; they win this thing or that thing and between what they say and what the parent hears, who knows what the award even is, let alone what you remember several weeks or months later. </p>
<p>Therefore, it’s sort of silly and even a bit weird and creepy to be picking on what some other parent posted, or indicting them for assumed dishonesty.</p>
I think this thread was just for fun - or maybe, I’m blissfully unaware of any negative undertones. I’m willing to take you all at your word - whatever the words may be. Peace out to all.</p>