Can I have a mommy vent!

[SnowWhite607]

I would like to share a lesson in humility, taught to me by my own daughter.

Reese is a sophmore, almost 16. she has sang in 2 different local bands, she taught herself to play guitar, spends most Wednesday nights at open mic nights. I got a big head about my daughters talents, the things people said to me had me swelling with pride and I let it go way too far.

Reese entered a talent show at her highschool, she writes her own music and I just knew her song was going to blow the competition away. For tryouts she got judges pick, which means she wouldn't have to audition again, she had won her spot in the show, I took this as, "Yeah, the judges lover her already, she is a shoe in."

The night of the talent show I felt in my bones she would win, and I was even comfortable enough to say it out loud. (to my family only)

Several girls sang, they were good, Some girls danced, they were good, one girl read a poem she wrote, it was a beautiful poem about Africa, a few bands played, I enjoyed the entertainment.

Reese performed, she got a standing ovation, and a marriage proposal (silly kids)

The time came to anounce the winner, they started with most spirited, it went to a dance group, best costume, went to a dance group, 3rd runner up went to a girl who sang and played piano, 2nd runner up, a boy who rapped along with a CD, first runner up, a boy who played a mean guitar ( I had viewed him as Reese's major competition) then first place.... I get my camera ready to record the moment they say my daughters name, "and they trophy goes to , Miss so and so for her reading of the poem, Africa my Africa."

Was there a gasp from the audience? oh yeah, I was probably the loudest. A couple of shouts rang out from kids in the audience, "Reese was robbed." This was rigged." My thoughts were, "Really, a poem won." I left the auditorium and waited in the lobby for Reese, Reese's friends came up to me and said she should have won, I totally agreed with them. (so biased)

Then Reese comes out, I was ready to console a child who I thought was wronged. She comes running over to me, all smiles. "Oh my gosh mom, that was such a rush, I had so much fun, can we go get pizza?"

We go for pizza, and while waiting for our order, I asked Reese what she thought of the results, did she felt she should have won?

She told me, "It would have been nice to win, I'm not gonna lie, but the judges didn't think I was the best."

"I thought you were the best."

"Yeah, but you're my mom, you have to think that, all moms think their kids are the best, all moms think their kid deserves to win, doesn't mean it's going to happen."

So I learned a lesson that night, as long as Reese had fun doing her thing, it doesn't matter where she placed.

I will never again get so emotionally involved in the outcome of awards and what not, Thinking back I had an ugly spirit that night and I am ashamed. I am lucky that my attitude about Reese deserving to win did not rob off on her.

Just because people say your kid should win, or your kid is the greatest doesn't mean the people judging will think so. Just keep encouraging them to do their best and have fun.

Sounds like you have an amazing daughter! You should be very proud of yourself for raising such a wonderful young lady!