I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how as parents we view our children and the inevitable “my child is the best/cutest/smartest/funniest” mentality. It’s something I never understood before becoming a parent; previously when watching reality shows featuring parents pushing their children to be the best (possibly in sparkly gowns and fake tans), I didn’t identify with them. How could you think your kid is that cute/awesome/the world’s best tap dancer?

Now I’m a mom, and I wholeheartedly get it. Becoming a parent gives you some sort of altered view of reality. Case in point, let’s talk about a real life example in the Hopscotch household: Miss H’s hair.

When we look back at pictures of Miss H, specifically from about 8-10 months, we sing the song “Mullet Baby” (set to the tune of the Muppet Babies theme song). Her hair was terrrrrible! Don’t believe me? Here you go, photographic evidence:

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When we finally cut it, my entire family must have breathed a sigh of relief. But in the moment, I was looking at her through the eyes of a mother who thought her baby was the cutest baby to ever be put on this earth, and her hair was just flat out gorgeous and don’t let me hear otherwise.

Now that we have cut the mullet and Miss H has grown and changed, how I view these pictures of Miss H is 100% different than I did when they were originally taken. Of course I still think she’s cute in them, but oh that hair!

As Miss H gets older and is doing more things, I often have to stop myself when talking to other parents, as I fear I will unintentionally sound competitive. I want to keep myself in check and make sure that being proud and wanting to share doesn’t come across as bragging or competitiveness. Because as time goes on, my super special “parent vision” will only get worse. Already I think Miss H is just so cute. And Miss H is the smartest kid ever. And she such an awesome walker. And on and on and on. But in reality I know that Miss H excels at some things and isn’t so great at others. That there are LOs her age or younger who are experts with using a fork while Miss H repeatedly throws hers on the ground, and others who are bold and brave with new people, while Miss H clings to my side. That every child develops at his or her own pace and what they’re doing is just perfect for him or her at that moment in time.

I think we are put on this Earth as parents to completely and wholeheartedly believe that our children are amazing – nothing beats the feeling of being proud and in awe of your child. But it is just as important to acknowledge that every parent is experiencing this same feeling, and to take a minute when talking to your friend/cousin/sister/brother to tell them just how amazing their child is, too!

And…so that Miss H doesn’t hate me for resurrecting the mullet pictures when she’s older and reading this, here’s a recent picture of her, sans mullet:

Do you ever find yourself feeling this way? Do you try and curb what you say about your LO or do you gush to your heart’s content?