I don’t know if I am speaking for all parents here, but from what I’ve gathered from the other Mom-friends/family I have, it seems that comparing children (behavior, milestones, achievements, etc) is a regular behavior.
It started young, with excited proclamations that the babies were rolling over. Then crawling. Perhaps teething. Now I’m in the walking stage. (I can also foresee a “talking” phase, potty training, the list goes on…)
And honestly, it legit bums me out that Vivien is creeping closer and closer to her first birthday, and hasn’t shown any interest in walking (unassisted) yet. I try not to compare, but no one wants their child to be passed up, or “left behind.” She’s been pulling up on things since she turned 8 months. She’s been walking with her push walker since she was 9 months old. I’ve waited for her to get past that point, but she’s just not there yet.
As a Mommy, I can’t help but wonder if maybe I can get better, or if I am not helping her hit her next milestone early. Then I stop, and research, and see that Vivien is perfectly in the range of normal 11 month old behaviors. But then the comparison rears its ugly face, and I find myself in the same circle of crazy, and it sucks. However, I have a happy, carefree kiddo who loves crawling her way into mischief, and makes me smile all day long.
At least we’ve got the “cute contest” in the bag. 
Do you find yourself comparing anything?
(I must admit, up until now, Vivien was always the “winner” hahaha. J/k!)
Yes, I really have to work hard on not comparing myself to others in all facets of my life: motherhood, fitness, beauty, fashion, etc. And it can be so difficult with all of the social media out there today. But I just try to focus on myself and being happy.
Don’t compare. I know of someone’s kid not walking until 16 months. Nothing special, weird, medically wrong, no developmentental delays. The kid just didn’t feel like walking. She’s like 8 now and she walks just fine. Mine didn’t until 14 months. And with her being supposedly 2 months behind for her medical reasons means 12 months. It will happen when it happens. Everyone’s different. Put energy and thought on your own kid because quite frankly, it doesn’t matter what everyone else’s kid is doing. Is she healthy? Yes. Then that’s all you need to be worried about. We were suggested a speech therapist intervention. Yeah ok. When she is 5 and not talking, i might be worried. Right now? Not so much. She will figure it out.
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Thanks,
Sarah
Oh girl, you’ll learn soon enough that you’ll drive yourself crazy and depressed if you play the comparison game! I used to be awful when Leila was a baby, but I’m finally learning that it doesn’t do anything good for us to compare. AND, if it makes you feel any better, Landon is no where near walking. And honestly, I’m happy about it because shortly after he starts walking, he’ll start running, and I am so not ready for that yet.
I am constantly comparing everything in my life to others, and I hate it!! I’m trying really hard to work on not doing that. As far as Cami…yup, I compare lol. I’m always hoping she’ll be “gifted” and “ahead of all other babies” haha, but it seems like she’s just right where she should be. I’m actually *really* nervous for when she starts crawling. I’m kinda wondering how in the world I’m going to get all my work done plus follow her around all day! Scary!!
Good lord, I could have written this myself! I think we all fall victim to this. I half wish to have a supergenius child, or at least one ahead of the curve. I was like that as a young kid, so my expectations are slightly unreasonable (hmmm I have a blog post brewing now). I think kids are generally either brain or brawn – some are both, but that’s rare, so obvi, V must be a supergenius!
I also think girls are slower with the physical stuff, but faster with the mental stuff. I prefer the mental stuff anyway. Mental stuff seems to get you farther in life. Unless you’re a professional athlete. But who cares if you’re a pro athlete if you’re a freaking moron, right?
If walking was an indicator of future intelligence, I’d be psyched right now, but it’s not. I’m always worried about one thing or another – is Ben “talking” enough, making enough different consonant sounds, etc. He doesn’t wave, like lots of kids his age, which I was worried about, until I realized I haven’t even attempted to teach him to wave. Then I felt insanely guilty, for being home with him, and not teaching him basic things like waving. Always worried that I’m doing this wrong. I’m pretty convinced I AM doing it wrong.
Anyway, this is all over the place, but if she’s been doing all of that pre-walking stuff for awhile – I promise – walking is right around the corner! It will come out of nowhere!