Tag: each child is unique
Let’s set the scene. It’s a sunny summer day. You’re sipping iced coffee while your kids are…doing whatever kids do that makes the dog bark and your neighbor peek through the blinds. One child is building a fort from pool noodles and duct tape. Another is quietly reading Charlotte’s Web for the third time. And the youngest just declared they’re allergic to boredom and need a snack immediately—even though they’re holding a half eaten cheese stick in one hand and a melting popsicle in the other.
And somewhere in the background, someone—perhaps a well-meaning neighbor, a houseguest with a knack for the humble brag, or maybe an in-law with a talent for zingers—says:
“Wow, Emma is such a reader. Why isn’t Max into books like she is?”
Cue the inner scream.
Let’s talk about it: comparison. That sneaky little reflex that creeps up on even the best of us—especially when the sunscreen is melting our resolve for Mel Robbins’s Let Them Theory.
mightydoodle
🧠 Why We Do It (And Why It Never Helps)
Here’s the truth: Comparing your children to each other, or to the neighbor’s perfectly curated Instagram kids, is as natural as overpacking for a road trip. But just like bringing 17 snacks for a 20-minute drive, it’s not actually helping.
Comparison robs your child of their individuality. It also robs you of the chance to enjoy your actual, real-life child—the one who might not be a prodigy, but did manage to make you laugh until you snorted orange juice yesterday.
mightydoodle
💥 Let’s Stop the Madness
This summer, we’re opting out.
We’re saying no, thanks to:
- “He’s just not as focused as your cousin’s kid.”
- “Her sister was already tying her shoes and packing her own lunch at that age.”
- “Your brother never needed reminders to make his bed and do his summer reading.”
And especially to:
- “Well, when I raised you…” (Hi, Grandma. We love you. Kindly stop.)
mightydoodle
🤹♀️ Every Child is Doing Their Own Thing—and That’s the Point
Some children are reading chapter books. Others are reading Minecraft manuals and inventing new languages with glitter glue.
Some kids are joining camps and teams and earning badges. Others are staying up late talking to the moon and rearranging their sock drawer.
Your child is doing summer their way. That’s not just okay—it’s amazing!
mightydoodle
😂 A Little Humor Helps
If you catch yourself mid-comparison this summer, try this instead:
- Redirect with comedy: “Yes, Liam isn’t reading chapter books yet—but he did just explain the entire life cycle of a cicada using Goldfish crackers, so he’s basically a scientist.”
- Default to delight: “Nope, they’re not the same—and I wouldn’t want them to be. Life’s more fun with variety.”
mightydoodle
🛑 Set Boundaries With a Smile
And when the comparisons come from others? Here are a few gentle, non-shaming replies:
- “They’re all on their own timeline, and I’m here for their journey.”
- “That’s the magic of children—they’re all wildly, beautifully different and somehow all sticky.”
- “We’re not doing comparisons this summer. Just sunscreen and snacks.”
mightydoodle
🌈 The Takeaway
Comparison is a trap. Celebrating what makes each child special is the way out.
This summer, try swapping “Why can’t they be more like…” with “I love watching them become…”
One’s a guilt trip. The other’s a joy ride.
And trust me: your kids notice the difference. Even if they’re too busy covering themselves in sidewalk chalk to say so.