When you hear the words, “stage mom,” you probably think of those parents we see on “Toddlers & Tiaras.”
This clip made me think of a stage mom I recently met. The only difference is this woman’s kids are not involved in pageants – they swim.
Princess has been swimming for about eight months now, and I get excited when I meet other families in the program.
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| Princess can’t swim on her own yet. But here she is kicking away! |
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| Standing on water! |
I struck up a conversation with a parent, who was drying off her adorable 7 month old. They just started the mommy and me classes. She asked me some questions about our experience so far, and I explained to her that we also began with the mommy and me classes when Princess was 10 months. But, now she swims with an instructor. Out of left field another mom chimes in by saying,
“My daughter started at 2 months. I skipped the mommy and me classes. She worked with the instructor and was already diving at 2 years old.”
I don’t mind people joining in on a conversation. But, I found this lady to be a bit braggadocios. She went on to say that she lived a few towns away, and chooses to drive the distance so that her daughter could swim with a particular instructor. She said that both her son and daughter- who are about 3 & 6 years old, are excellent swimmers and will be competing soon. I wanted to say, “Hey, lady this is a A & B conversation. C your way out.” As she continued to brag about her daughter’s awards, I smiled, knotted, and kept it moving.
I can’t understand why people feel the need to brag about their kids. I’m a proud mama, but I would never want to give off the impression that my kid is better than everyone else’s. I enrolled Princess in the program because I wanted her to learn how to swim. If she chooses to continue when she gets older that’s ok. If she later decides it’s not for her, then that’s alright too. I understand that there are some parents who want their kid to be the next star athlete. But, it’s also important to keep in mind that they should be having fun. Mommy and me classes are great for bonding with your child, and getting them used to being in the water. You don’t have train them for the Olympics right away! Save all that competitive attitude for the professionals. Kids should just be kids and parents should just be parents.
Would you consider yourself to be a stage mom or dad?
Weather Anchor Mama
What a timely post for me b/c I’ve had a few peer parents comment on how “advanced” Nia is and prod me for other information (like percentiles which are so stupid anyway!). Besides updates on her development here and there on my blog I don’t get into super specifics about which milestones my daughter is achieving at any given moment. I do the same as you and just nod. I find silence in general is a great response to parents like that!