As parents, we canât help but be proud of our childrenâs accomplishments. Whether theyâve conquered toilet training, mastered the art of writing or aced their first test, we are thrilled. And maybe even a little bit relieved that age-appropriate milestones have been reached. Most of us try not to ram our kidsâ good work, good luck or good fortune down the throat of other parents, though, understandably, it sometimes slips out. I like to think thereâs a difference between sharing good news and lording over everyone else. But of course there are the braggarts, big mouths and know-it-alls who hijack each victory and turn it into their own.
Weâve all met them: the soccer dads, stage moms, grandparents and relatives who swear no one is as bright, brilliant or beautiful as their very own talented offspring. Their child isnât merely smart, she’s gifted. Their son isnât just musical, heâs a prodigy. And their daughter? She isnât sporty, sheâs a future Olympian. And on it goes. Recently, however, Iâve noticed a new trend in parental one-upmanship: the âmineâs worseâ phenomenon. More »