There’s a new sport in which I have unwillingly been participating in for the last 6 years. It’s dirty, it’s mean, and it makes rugby look like a leisurely Sunday stroll. No matter how hard I try, I’m stuck playing for pretty much the rest of my life.
The sport? Competitive parenting. And I can stand it.
Even if you’re not a parent, you probably know some parents and you know what I’m talking about. The conversations you overhear probably go something like this:
Parent A: “Little Madison was such an easy baby. She started sleeping through the night at 3 months old and could feed herself by the time she was 8 months.”
Parent B: “Really? That’s wonderful. My Ryan was sleeping through the night at 2 weeks, could feed himself at 5 months, and was potty trained at 10 months!”
Parent A: “Yeah, we had some trouble potty training but Madison could read War and Peace by the time she was 2 AND wrote and published a novel at 4.”
It goes on and on and on. It’s painful and unnecessary and I hate it. Yet there are times I feel compelled–against my anti-competition nature–to participate. Then I feel shamed that I even bothered because I understand that my kid does things at her own pace and makes her own progress, and getting her to compete with the progress of others is unfair to do to her (even if she doesn’t know it). I didn’t have a child to win some race or medal.
However.
Some parents clearly use their kids to fulfill some deficiency in their childhood or as a way to feel superior to other parents. It’s sickening, actually. And it extends to everything–academic, social, developmental, and achievement (you know, the “my kids are all-stars in every sport and Eloise is a piano prodigy and Morgan is an accomplished artist” type stuff ) based competitions. It doesn’t stop there. It even extends to moms competing with each other over the NUMBER of kids they have. There seems to be an overall attitude that the more kids you have, you are automatically a better mother. And after working in social services for 10 years, I call bullshit on that. Quantity does not automatically trump quality.
So there’s that.
Competing over the number of kids we have makes me want to tear my hair out because really, who gives a fuck? Yes, mom on the cheer field or soccer field or at the gym or wherever I run into you, you have more kids than I do. I’m happy for you. I really am. You’re a very lucky, blessed woman. But the fact that I only have one does not make me any less lucky or blessed than you. And when you say these things to me, it makes me want to punch you right in the face:
“You’re smart that you only have one.” I really don’t know how my intelligence is any reflection of my reproductive choices. Quite frankly, you don’t know the reasons I have one child and I can assure you, none of them have anything to do with whether or not I’m smart. But if you’re asking and putting me on the spot and making me uncomfortable, maybe I’ll make you uncomfortable and tell you that I have secondary infertility and cannot, in fact, have more children. And even if I had one child by choice, that’s my business and you have zero right to comment on it. Imagine if I told you that having 3 or 4 kids made you stupid. You’d be pissed, right? Same concept.
“Now try doing (fill in the blank) with 3 kids”. I’m sorry, what?! Yes, I acknowledge that not having to split my time between different schools, homework, bedtimes, and activities is easier on my schedule. However, having one kid does not mean that getting places on time, getting homework done, paying for activities or anything else is any easier. I still work. My husband works full-time and part-time. We have no family around to help us when we both have to be somewhere work related and the child needs to be somewhere else while you might have an aunt or uncle to drive your kids in that situation. We don’t get a date night without paying a fortune in a babysitter while you might have grandparents around to provide free babysitting. Certain circumstances don’t change based on the number of kids and guess what, mom of 3? You might just have it easier sometimes.
“She must be so spoiled because she’s an only child”. Fuck you for even thinking that. Having one child may mean that we might have a little more discretionary money to spend on her but you don’t know my financial situation so why even say that? Assuming my child is spoiled is just wrong and also kind of rude. And mean. Because I can assure you that my only child is way less spoiled than a number of children with multiple siblings.
“What do you do all day when she’s in school?” Work. I work. Having one school aged child does not mean I am exempt from all of life’s necessities like money, laundry, cooking, cleaning, or the dozens of other agenda items that need to get ticked off every. Single. Day. Life still goes on even with one child. And what if I homeschooled? Would you still say that to me? No? Then don’t say it now.
And lastly, the nonverbal look of pity because I only have one child. Pay close attention. I am perfectly happy with the way my chips have fallen. This is the way life has turned out for me and I wouldn’t change anything. I don’t need your pity. So take it on down the road.
I can see how, on the surface, life with an only child might seem easier to a mom with more than one. And maybe in some situations it is. But the bottom line is that we’re all mothers. So let’s stop competing and start supporting each other.
P.S. Whether you have one kid or 14, it is NEVER okay for one mom to tell another that having a c-section means that she did not “have” her child.
Tia says
Love this article. It hit on a lot of things that come up DAILY.
Jana says
I want to say that I’m surprised you encounter this on a daily basis but sadly, I’m not. It’s really a shame.
SMD @ Life According to Steph says
Bravo. Very well stated. People do not think.
I detest when parents live through their children. I hope someone’s kid is a little Einstein, I truly do. But the boasting and competitiveness are ludicrous and out of bounds.
Ten children in a family can be spoiled and lazy and an only child can be independent and hard working. Spoiled children say more about the parents, so that’s like insulting you right to your face. Well, all of these things people say are insulting, but that’s basically like “Oh you have one you can’t help but spoil her.”
I am sick of people talking about my reproduction or lack of it. I’m sorry, that’s your business how?
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Back to School Reminiscing
Jana says
Exactly. I know kids who have siblings and are plenty spoiled. It shows in their attitudes and the demands they make towards other adults, as if we work for them. Sorry, kid. I only work for the one that came out of me. And I’m pretty confident that she wouldn’t treat another adult like an employee or servant.
As far as people questioning your choice to have or not have kids, it is so out of line. Not only is it completely none of their business but what if there are reasons you don’t have kids? What if you had one kid and he or she passed away so you decided not to have more? People just don’t know circumstances and need to shut the fuck up when it comes to this. Having kids is awesome but it is not the end all and be all of existence.
Catherine says
Jana. I love you.
This is so great, I agree 10000%.
Our kiddo is only 14 mos old everyone keeps asking when the next one is coming but guess what? I dont know now that I want more. For no reason other than I feel totally complete right now. Theu think I’m some freak of nature for possibly entertaining the though of deliberatly having only one kid. One lady actually asked me “who’s going to take care of yoy when you’re old?!” Sorry bitch but I’m not breeding children so they can wipe my ass when I’m old. Ill save for a retirememt that may include a nurse.
Catherine recently posted…My Plan To Get Out Of Debt Fast And Have Things I Want
Jana says
Oh my. It would have taken all my willpower not to unleash a tirade on that lady.
One of my favorites that people say to me when they question my choice and I respond with something along the lines of “well, my daughter is almost 7, I’m 36 and would have a double high risk pregnancy and I’m not risking it or starting over”, they tell me that I’m not that old and they know lots of people who have kids that are far apart in age. Yeah, I know them, too. One of them includes ME. And I’m not taking any chances with my health and honestly, diapers aren’t fun. I’m good without them. So thanks for your input, complete stranger. Good day.
Pauline says
Wow I wonder what the C section people would have to say about adoption then. My sister loves competitive parenting and I love teasing her about it. Last time my niece had a buddy over who was much more articulate than her, so I marveled at how well he spoke, and my sister was really annoyed haha, but then she said “he is a month older” so I guess my poor niece got a full month of catching up attempts.
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Jana says
I don’t even want to think about what they’d say about adoption. Because I just can’t.
Your poor niece. Your sister needs to calm down. A lot.
Laurie @thefrugalfarmer says
I can only shake my head at the self-centeredness and lack of wisdom that some people have. Think before you talk, people, it’s that simple!!! Oh, and kids are not trophies, or there to fulfill your own dreams or shortcomings, they are there for you to love and raise up right so they can help others and make a difference for good in the world. Good for you, Jana, for writing this and saying what needs to be said.
Laurie @thefrugalfarmer recently posted…How to Save Money: Check the Labels
Jana says
Thanks for your feedback, Laurie. Coming from a mom with 5 kids, it means a lot that you recognize some people are really out of line both towards others AND their own kids.
Debt Blag says
Hm. I will help you convince parents of multiple kids to stop saying these things if you promise to help convince people with kids to stop telling me:
“Oh, you’re single?” “Well, you’ll understand when you have children of your own.”
Debt Blag recently posted…Why I’m a Generation Me, millennial over-sharer when it comes to blogging, and why I blog
Jana says
That’s so rude. You have my permission to hit those people.
Cat Alford (@BudgetBlonde) says
Great post and wow I am so not looking forward to dealing with this. My husband is so good at making a joke that diffuses the situation and makes the other person realize what they did. I just get pissed, lol!