Is My Child the Strongest, the Bravest, the 'estest'?

More times than I can count, I've read parents on my Socials timelines describe their child(ren) as the strongest, smartest, bravest (one poster going as far as saying her daughter was the "strongest person I know"). But really though? A first-world teenager that has had her parents backing her up for every life journey she has ever taken is the strongest person you know?  May I suggest expanding your knowledge of remarkable people? As someone that often deliberates on phrasing and wording before I put anything down on concrete, I often cringe at these descriptions. Admittedly, I'm no stranger to complimenting my kids and expressing how proud I am of them. I think, as a parent, that's the most gratifying part-- having an excuse to say something great about our children and sharing it with anyone who will listen.

But if you really think about it, are our children really the strongest? How about those kids that have to face violence and war every day & somehow still find the will to survive & sometimes thrive? Are our kids the bravest? How about those kids who have no parents to guide them and yet they go out into the world and contribute in the most positive way without anyone supporting them or cheering them on? Are our kids the most hard-working? Some kids wake up every morning and do back breaking chores in order to feed their families. And most likely, these kids don't have parents who are posting about them on Social Media and talking about them in any kind of "est" manner.

My point is, our kids, the kids that are often mentioned on my timelines as well as my own kids, are the privileged kids.  They don't have these incredibly enormous challenges that other kids face and more often than not don't truly deserve any kind of "ests". Yes, our kids are smart and may even get straight "As". But they haven't come up with some genius mathematical equation that can potentially cure cancer. Yes, some of our kids are strong.  But they don't have to carry pounds of produce on their back and walk miles to sell it at a market in order to feed the family.

Again, there's nothing wrong with praising our kids. Do that.  It helps their self-esteem and frankly, it's just nice to hear. Some of our kids are pretty great after all.

But also, keep some of that stuff in perspective as well. Good grades are great and need to be commended.  But also, make sure you treat people kindly and not just as lip service--stop insulting, degrading, acting like you're superior to others--kindness is MORE than a word.  Accolades in sports are fantastic! But do you display sportsmanship and treat others with respect, on and off the field? Because when all is said & done, it's just a game. Some people don't consider it their life's mission to "crush their opponent" and maybe they'd rather watch a movie than go to a practice or heck, go to a school dance. Accept that & do your own thing--without malice.

Because we're all human.  We all have the potential to fail at these tasks.  But we can always get better & BE better.  Believe me, as a doting Mom & an avid Social Media user, I share many ups of parenting--the accolades, the achievements--and at the risk of being that eye-rolling humble bragger, I'm extremely proud of the things my kids have accomplished. And I'm happy for fellow parents that share their children's achievements--just don't insult and degrade someone else to elevate your child(ren) because then I'm not feeling so generous in my good feelings for you.

What I don't deliberately share are the downs, and as life would have it, there are many.  And honestly, I don't feel comfortable in sharing them either.  That's not what I want to use my Social Media for and I believe that what you share online should be just a snippet of your real life--privacy is essential to balanced living. But rest assured, every day is not perfect.  I'm now raising teenagers.  I think that sentence speaks for itself.  Two teenage sons.  Two very different personalities. And sometimes, I want to throw one of them in the ocean--not going to single one out specifically, but he knows who he is.  😵 If you think anyone's life is perfect, chances are you're wrong. I wish everyone well, but we all have our ups and downs.

My point is, my sons are amazing and they have given us many many reasons to be proud.😍 And I hope I've expressed it to them as often and as strongly as I feel it--verbally and through my Socials.  They are not, however, some over-the-top "est" except maybe at being loved by The Huz and I.  The love we have for them---THAT is what I'm most certain of.  They are the MOST (est) loved by us, by their parents.