You Are Special

The definition of special,  1: distinguished by some unusual quality; esp: being in some way superior 2: held in a particular esteem 3: readily distinguishable from others in the same category.

I start with this definition because narcissism is at an all time high within our youth, and people wonder why?  Where does it start?  It starts in preschool where songs like Frere Jacques have been changed to better suit the self esteems of toddlers.

"You are special, you are special

because you're you, because you're you

you're so very special, you're so very special

yes you are, yes you are"

"I am special, I am special

because I'm me, because I'm me

I'm so very special, I'm so very special

yes I am, yes I am."

If everyone is special then no one is special.  Yes my kids are special...TO ME!  Beyond that, we will just have to wait and see.  This song demonstrates just one of the many lies we allow our children to be told.

Back to School

The first day of a new school year.  There are  mothers with their tissues, sobbing that they can't believe their babies have grown so fast.  There are children clinging to their mom's leg, pleading for mom not to desert them.  There are parents pushing their way inside classrooms to speak to teachers.  There are parents harassing the office staff regarding teacher placement.  There are parents who, for some reason unknown to me, have forgot how to parallel park.  Then there are parents like me who have been looking forward to this day all summer.

As excited as I was to welcome summer break, I am more than thrilled to have it end.  Summer break is a lot like company you haven't seen in a while.  You can't wait to see them but after you have cooked for them, cleaned up after them and entertained them for a couple weeks you are ready to send them packing.

Baby Reluctant

My brother told me that it hurts his feelings that I never hold his babies. Never is a bit of an over statement. What isn't to like about babies, the crying, the dirty diapers, the spit up, the drooling. Aside from those things babies are great. However his comment made me think. Is it just his babies?

I have 13 nieces and nephews and the majority of our friends have children and I have come to realize that I don't really hold any babies. It isn't personal. I prefer to admire them at a distance. Is that wrong?

It seems I don't have what other women have, I don't gush over babies, I don't get super excited when someone is pregnant, and I don't approach strangers in the mall to compliment their children. It doesn't even occur to me to do so. And I don't have expectations for anyone to do so with my kids. Yes I held my babies all the time and still do. I love them to pieces. But they are my kids, it's kind of my job.

In my defense some people are just the opposite of me. They love babies, but as those babies grow up they lose interest. Are they criticized for that?

So I'm a little baby standoffish and the magic age seems to be three. I don't see what's wrong with that. My husband told me that if my nieces and nephews had a vote he thinks I would be in the running for favorite. Because I see them for who they are and I genuinely care for each of them. If that is true, I must be doing something right. But who knows, maybe I'm wrong.