OT-Coloring Contest

[Nanu57v]

I'm upset. I keep telling myself I shouldn't be, but I'm not listening. I know DD doesn't care, so I should either, but its not helping. So our local Sears store had a coloring contest for ages 2-7. I was excited because usually the contests start at 3. The associate told me that 2s and 3s were judged together. DD has amazing coloring skills for a 2 year old. I know this from having worked with preschoolers as long as I have, not just because I'm her mom. . She doesn't "scribble." She actually attempts to color each object within the lines. So my heart sank when I viewed the other 2s and 3s. They had already taken some down for judging, but there were still 2 on display for her age. They were so much better than DDs! The 2 year old one was neatly colored in all the right colors (green trees, brown reindeer) and the 3 year old was colored perfectly. At first I was impressed, then I began to wonder if something was up. Then I noticed that both of the entrees had 7 year old siblings posted right next to them with amazingly identical coloring skills! So DD is going to lose to another 2 year old whose 7 year old sister colored for him!!! I wish people would just be honest.

Its so stupid, I don't even know if there are prizes, DD doesn't have a clue, so I shouldn't care...but I do.

 

[Eeyore's Mom]

I understand. I am pretty much a rule follower myself and it drives me crazy when others aren't. I can't stand it when someone drives the wrong way down a parking lane All that matters is what YOU think and from your post, you sound like you are pretty darn proud of her!! Sorry that others don't play fair.

 

[Matt'sMom]

Don't be too quick to write off DD's chances. In my experience, more often than not the 'winners' of these sort of coloring 'contests' are randomly selected (winning entry is randomly drawn from among all entries). It typically is not actually a subjective judging based upon actual ability or talent. So DD's chances of receiving a prize (if one ios given) are probably going to be just as good as anyone elses.

Also, unfortunately, the sort of dishonesty you witnessed as to older sibs or parents 'helping' a youngster with their entry is common place these days. Just wait 'til your DD is older and in school. So often it is easy to tell that parents have 'helped' their children complete many of the science fair projects and other school asignments. Teachers (and others) are usually keenly aware of who does their own work, and who is receiving more than appropriate 'help', however. They see what level of work the students are capable of on a daily basis in class.

 

[Nanu57v]

Thanks, but I checked...and she didn't win. They give $ store prizes to everyone, which is nice. I wonder what the real prizes are. I think I mentioned before I didn't even know if there were prizes, just did it for fun, which is why I wish I would'nt be so upset.

I am worried about this continuing when she's older and in school. Maybe its a reason for homeschool.

 

[jdcthree]

I homeschool my son and I am all for homeschooling, but I'm just wondering why this would be a reason for homeschooling? I'm sorry your dd didn't win. Sounds like she did a great job, and unfortunately contests are not always fair.

 

[Nanu57v]

My mom said the same about how this is just the beginning. I remember having to redo a project in 5th grade because I did it by myself. Everyone else's projects were so much better than mine because the parents did part of it, but my parents felt that I needed to do the work myself. I had to redo it and the teacher ended up doing part of mine.

 

[cindermomma]

My DS7 just entered a gingerbread house contest. He built it (I only helped hold up pieces to dry!) and he decorated the whole thing by himself. At the contest there were mothers actually putting the finishing touching on their kids houses! They were immacculate! No, my DS didn't win. But his looked great for a 7 year old and we told him to be very proud of his house! Other parents drive me nuts! I know how you feel!