Competitive Parenting

Sorry, Sue. The blue footed boobie is a bird that lives on the Galapagos Islands. A former co-worker of DH's recently went to the islands for a vacation and included some photos on her card. I think I had seen a photo before but I forgot how cool those blue feet are.

Here's a photo:


And another showing the mating ritual:

[Sheherezade]

Growing up, I had a lot of friends and classmates whose parents pushed them incredibly hard. There was one Mary Poppins-perfect family who sent the annual Christmas bragging fest and it always made ME feel inferior-- I never even thought about how it made my parents feel about their parenting skills! [Laughing]

I still get these annual letters from this family, except their 3 kids (the oldest is my age) have all since had their rebellion stages and/or emotional breakdowns. So now I get to read about how their kids have all moved to different continents (literally) to get away from them!

Are you sure we don't know each other?? This is sooo my family. None of the children (myself included) will read the family holiday letter. It is too soul-crushing. Mom calls around trying to find out if you've done anything "worthy" of the annual letter --and then beefs up the story. Luckily my DH and I laugh it off every year. Personally, I wouldn't send them--I don't want my kids to feel they have to be interesting and impressive to merit reporting. Just MHO from my own little holiday h*ll.....

Esther, I'd love to see what that family's letters say now!

Don't worry-- if I get one this year, I'll post the highlights!

Sue, I wish more people sent out holiday letters like your dad's. I really do enjoy hearing about people's lives, I just wish the letters were more fun!

And the blue-footed boobie-- I've never seen one either! What a cool picture!

[houseelf]

Marla & Kevin,

I'd be honored to join you for a brew or a run, or both: Hashing anyone? I typically don't drink hard alcohol because I'm such a lightweight, but if I did, I'd have to select "Maker's Mark" in honor of my old Kentucky home.

True confession time, however, I have written Christmas letters in the past. It is an art to try to keep these things somewhere between positive and pass-the-prozac honesty.

Kelly

[PrincessFiona]

Mom calls around trying to find out if you've done anything "worthy" of the annual letter --and then beefs up the story.

That is hysterical!!! "honey, I'm getting ready to write my annual newsletter. Have you done anything this year at all that is worthy of telling anyone else? You just stayed at home? You aren't back in the lab yet? hmmm(translation: This year, Angie won a parenting award for her work as a stay-at-home mom. Not only is she the best stay at home mom EVER, but she is now being studied as a model for other stay at home parents "

oi

kris

[fluffhead]

The blue footed boobie is a bird that lives on the Galapagos Islands.

Check out "Galapagos" by Kurt Vonnegut, the bird plays a pretty major part.

[Rapunzel]

Jennifer,
I think you are missing the whole idea of this post. Everyone here is just joking around and co-miserating a bit. Not everything has to be a debate.
I am glad you were so busy in high school, that is wonderful. Just don't be such a BUZZKILL and let us laugh a little ok?

I'm sorry that I wasn't funny for your viewing pleasure.... Didn't know that I was going to be attacked for simply saying how I felt about something so benign. And, call me naive, but I didn't know that there are people (such as yourself, "guest") that equate being serious with "debating". Hmmm.... Seems you might want to get out more?

Next time you're online if you want a "BUZZKILL" go back and read your own post - it wasn't funny, and was actually pretty rude. Maybe you had a bad day, who knows? But, I don't come to this site to "help your buzz".

Oh, and why are you posting as "guest"?


Jennifer

[DCJenn]

The best one my parents ever received listed the fabulous accomplishments of the daughter, while then going on to list in excruiating detail- the son's recent arrest and treatment for drug addiction.

It was basically, "Susie continues to excel in her career as a ______, and she recently bought a home in our neighborhood and we're thrilled to have her home. Johnny was arrested with a gram of coke and is in court-ordered rehab as I type. Hope everyone has happy holidays!!!"

Lord, talk about a violation of personal privacy, not to mention the fact that this letter went out to EVERYONE- including all of the neighbors, and the mom's sorority sisters (how my mom got it, although we were also neighbors...)

Wow.

We have done the X-mas letter thing- usually when I'm too busy to deal with the personal touch. and for those of you who have received it- if I was too horrible, do let me know. This year's card will be as cool as last years, though. (Last year I sent a picture of the inside of one of the churche ceilings in Florence. This year will be any one of a number of snowy scenes from Russia.

Jenn

Jenn! I cannot believe that!!! Sounds like something out of Desperate Housewives...

[PrincessFiona]

That is HYSTERICAL, Jenn...

I sent out a christmas letter once during residency that basically read:

Thomas continues to work 80-100 hours a week and barely has time to sleep...we have no idea how we actually conceived alex..

Kristen is slowly losing her mind...she has her hands full with the kids and her recently divorced parents and is contemplating starting antidpressants....


etc etc....

It wasn't quite as dramatic as your mom's friend, but it definitely was not the 'I'm so proud to be a doctor's wife' lovefest either.

My mom was so offended that she called me immediately to tell me that I would depress people and that they wanted to hear the good things not how hard things were right now.

I am all for keeping it real...I hope you guys will keep me in line about my christmas letter for this year though!

kris

I just received two Christmas letters today. One was very much like the one Kris received....Child A is 8 and is reading at the high school level and just finished reading the following books.....Child B's teachers said he is the most advanced and most mature student in class...here's the website to our new dream vacation home....etc, etc....

The second letter talked about Child A who played teeball this spring and really enjoyed being part of a team...Infant Child B just learned how to roll over but isn't in any rush to hit any milestones....Child C joined Cub Scouts and is really enjoying earning his patches.

I have to say the second letter was much more fun to read because it showed more of what the children's personalities were like.

My mom just received a Christmas letter that went into some detail about the state of the sender's dog's teeth and her efforts and schedule to clean them.

[PrincessFiona]

Crack me up..

I wonder if I should have someone read my letter before I mail it out! :|

Child A is 8 and is reading at the high school level and just finished reading the following books.....Child B's teachers said he is the most advanced and most mature student in class...

Tongue-in-cheek translation: Child A is a loner and Child B is a suck-up.

I had an epiphany - letters such as these drive some parents to sport a bumper sticker that reads "My child just beat up your honor student."

Nellie,

My mom just received a Christmas letter that went into some detail about the state of the sender's dog's teeth and her efforts and schedule to clean them.

I'll have you know that "doggie dentition" is no laughing matter. I'm reporting you to PETA ASAP for your lack of sensitivity in the matter.