Superlatives
I have been thinking about this idea for awhile now. I often say things like, "You are the CUTEST baby EVER".... "You are the SMARTEST baby EVER"... "You are the BEST husband EVER". Well, I was sitting in church and looking around at all the people and thought to myself.... I bet every one of these people was "the cutest baby ever" to their parents! And I bet (or at least I hope) that everyone thinks their mate is the best. The phrase "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" comes to mind.... how true. What I value as beauty might be different to someone else.
On the same topic, I find it very hard not to compare (MY baby is XXXXer than another baby). I would never say anything like that, but it's hard not to be thinking it. I'm sure everyone finds their own baby to be "better" than other babies in certain ways (like, thank goodness my baby doesn't do THAT). Obviously we can find other babies to be cute/smart etc without risking loyalty to our own child and actually, other babies can be cuter/smarter and that's ok too. Kayla isn't perfect... nor do I desire that for her. I'm a very competitive person by nature and obviously conversations with other parents often involve comparisons (how does she sleep, what is she learning, when did she roll/crawl/walk/talk, etc), but sometimes people say things in a way that gives the air that "my baby is better than your baby" and that is just real annoying. It brings out my competitive nature and makes me suddenly become defensive about Kayla and want to explain to them in what ways she is better than their child! Irrational, I know. I find it much easier when people are complimenting Kayla.... like people who say, "she's so cute" or "wow, she's walking so well for her age" etc. and build her up. Somehow them complimenting her totally takes out competition and instead makes me want to compliment their child. Kids advance at all different levels and while Kayla was very early in gross motor skills (which is a very noticeable thing) she's hasn't been early in everything (speech for example). And, of course I have the CUTEST baby EVER.... so, I don't have to worry about competing with that!!! :)