Why do people hate the Proud of your Honor Student for Bumper Stickers?

[luvmy3]

I have one of those bumper stickers. I don't give a flying fig who it offends, who finds it obnoxious, or thinks it's annoying. I also don't care that it comes across as bragging (cuz it is, my daughter totally rocks!). I am proud of my daughter and her hard work and I proudly display that bumper sticker she earned!

I have a son who struggles in school. If he ever made the Honor Roll I swear I'd put a "Proud Honor Roll Mom" banner across my car and blow the horn so everybody would look. Until then, I just wear the giant photo button of him to all his baseball and soccer games, and wrestling matches, while I wave my school colors pom poms.

I am always proud when my kids' earn bumper stickers too. I never really cared much for the grades they earned to make it on the honor roll.

Am I understanding you correctly, you wear a giant photo button of your ds when you go to his sporting events? I have never seen anyone do anything like that, but I think that would make a great spin-off thread

 

[luvsJack]

I am always proud when my kids' earn bumper stickers too. I never really cared much for the grades they earned to make it on the honor roll.

Am I understanding you correctly, you wear a giant photo button of your ds when you go to his sporting events? I have never seen anyone do anything like that, but I think that would make a great spin-off thread

They have those around here! When pictures are made of the team and players, the photographer will make these huge pins for the moms to wear to the games and such. I have also seen parents with t-shirts that say "XXXX's Mom" on the back.

I never went that far, I figure they can hear me cheering loud enough to figure out which one is mine!

 

[luvmy3]

They have those around here! When pictures are made of the team and players, the photographer will make these huge pins for the moms to wear to the games and such. I have also seen parents with t-shirts that say "XXXX's Mom" on the back.

I never went that far, I figure they can hear me cheering loud enough to figure out which one is mine!

The only time I have ever seen someone where a pin was during the walks for cancer, where a walker will wear a picture of someone they are walking for. I have never seen a mom or dad wear one of their kid at a sporting event.
My dd is going out for track this spring and they pretty much told the kids that they will all make it since so few are trying out. You can imagine my pride that my dd is one of those who simply showed up! Sounds like its a regional thing, maybe for her track meets and ds' baseball season I'll start the trend here. It will either catch on, or the other parents will look at me and wonder what the heck I'm doing and then go start a thread on a discussion board about how they are bothered by my display of pride Either way, everyone will know how great I think my kids are and how proud of them I am

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I have to say that I find the Darwin Ichthus symbols somewhere between offensive and ignorantly insensitive, and I am in no way a dogmatic Christian; in fact, I am quite liberal and ecumenical in my faith and a firm believer in evolution. Perhaps because I was raised with a strong understanding of the historical meaning of the Ichthus, however, I find the Darwin lizard symbol hurtful and think it is insensitive to use it to "poke fun" at those of faith.

Evolution is my religion. I have studied it. I have a degree in it. My most comprehensive undergranduate paper (in a graduate class) was about the evolutionary origins of religion. Reading The Selfish Gene literally changed my life (as others would say reading the Bible changed theirs). Others might use it to poke fun, I do not. Besides, it is not a Darwin fish attacking a Christian fish, but a Christian symbol with Darwinian feet, indicating that the two are not diametrically opposed ideologies.

Also, it's apparently okay to have a FSM and openly poke fun at all religions, but not to have a symbol that vaguely refers to one particular religion? That doen't make sense...unless you're Christian, of course.

 

[sunshinehighway]

The only time I have ever seen someone where a pin was during the walks for cancer, where a walker will wear a picture of someone they are walking for. I have never seen a mom or dad wear one of their kid at a sporting event.
My dd is going out for track this spring and they pretty much told the kids that they will all make it since so few are trying out. You can imagine my pride that my dd is one of those who simply showed up! Sounds like its a regional thing, maybe for her track meets and ds' baseball season I'll start the trend here. It will either catch on, or the other parents will look at me and wonder what the heck I'm doing and then go start a thread on a discussion board about how they are bothered by my display of pride Either way, everyone will know how great I think my kids are and how proud of them I am

Well if you don't start a trend, you'll most likely be able to start a bullying thread.

 

[luvmy3]

Well if you don't start a trend, you'll most likely be able to start a bullying thread.

If a person wears a huge pin of their child while at a sporting event, or anything else they are looking for attention, otherwise they'd sit in the stands and cheer just like the rest of the parents. They want people to notice who their child is and who they are, so what, are they to only expect people to think "how great, look at that parent, she is really is proud of her child"? Sorry, it doesn't work that way, when you publicly display your pride, no matter your intent, you are leaving it up to the public to come up with their own interpretation of your display of that pride. If you don't care what people think, then by all means paint yourself head to toe with pictures and bumper stickers, if you can't take the criticism in other's opinions, then don't do it. Same here, if you post what you do on the internet, then you better expect some people to disagree with you and even call you out and think what you do is a crazy. And yes, I think putting a huge pin of your child on you is crazy and I'm not afraid to express that here.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Oh please

If a person wears a huge pin of their child while at a sporting event, or anything else they are looking for attention, otherwise they'd sit in the stands and cheer just like the rest of the parents. They want people to notice who their child is and who they are, so what, are they to only expect people to think "how great, look at that parent, she is really is proud of her child"? Sorry, it doesn't work that way, when you publicly display your pride, no matter your intent, you are leaving it up to the public to come up with their own interpretation of your display of that pride. If you don't care what people think, then by all means paint yourself head to toe with pictures and bumper stickers, if you can't take the criticism in other's opinions, then don't do it. Same here, if you post what you do on the internet, then you better expect some people to disagree with you and even call you out and think what you do is a crazy. And yes, I think putting a huge pin of your child on you is crazy and I'm not afraid to express that here.

I agree and was making a joke about it. I should have been clearer about that.

 

[luvmy3]

I agree and was making a joke about it. I should have been clearer about that.

Sorry

I edited so it wasn't so defensive

 

[torinsmom]

I feel like we should be proud of our children whether they are honor students, star athletes, or just doing the best they can. You can be proud of your child without broadcasting their accomplishment. What happens to the child whose parents place a huge emphasis on them being on the honor roll when they don't make the honor roll next semester? Or how does that bumper sticker make a sibling who is not on the honor roll feel? It's great to affirm your child's accomplishments, but we also need to make sure we let them know that we love them no matter what grade they make, how many goals they score, etc. I've seen a lot of kids devastated because they felt like they were not good enough when they didn't accomplish something their parents made a big deal of. My pastor talked about affirming vs. cherishing others this morning. He said we affirm with our hands(high five, pat on the back, etc.) but we cherish with our hearts(hugs or words of unconditional love). I have a child who makes average grades, but he is gifted in the arts. I cherish every part of him and he knows I will continue to do so no matter what.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Sorry

I edited so it wasn't so defensive

Its ok. Sometimes I need a reminder that I'm not as clever as I think I am.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Y'all are a bunch of fuddy duddies!!!

Yes, I wear buttons with pictures of my kids to their sporting events. I also wear light up dread locks in the team colors, ring cowbells (that are also in team colors), have light up team colored spirit sticks, shake pom poms, and wear shirts that say "Child's Name's Mom." Especially on my daughter's cheer team. We all do it. It's highly encouraged by the coaches so we run with it. We have a great time and it pumps the kids up. Ain't nothing wrong with that! I do not think of myself as too cool to participate in a little team spirit.

My kids think it's hilarious! So do their friends. It's all in good fun. My children have fabulous personalities and senses of humor. They cheer just as loudly for each other as I do for each of them. I LOVE that!

So go ahead and think youself superior while you give the polite golf clap and praise for nothing in particluar. I'll keep turning cartwheels with my spirit sticks lit.

ETA: on my daughter's cheer team (not a sideline team, a traveling, National competition team) the parents who don't wear the light up dreads, team shirts, ring cowbells, ect are the ones that stand out. So, no, this is not attention seeking behavior, it's just team spirit and it works. It totally pumps them up! They win every competition they go to. :0)

 

[Mkrop]

I feel like we should be proud of our children whether they are honor students, star athletes, or just doing the best they can. You can be proud of your child without broadcasting their accomplishment. What happens to the child whose parents place a huge emphasis on them being on the honor roll when they don't make the honor roll next semester? Or how does that bumper sticker make a sibling who is not on the honor roll feel? It's great to affirm your child's accomplishments, but we also need to make sure we let them know that we love them no matter what grade they make, how many goals they score, etc. I've seen a lot of kids devastated because they felt like they were not good enough when they didn't accomplish something their parents made a big deal of. My pastor talked about affirming vs. cherishing others this morning. He said we affirm with our hands(high five, pat on the back, etc.) but we cherish with our hearts(hugs or words of unconditional love). I have a child who makes average grades, but he is gifted in the arts. I cherish every part of him and he knows I will continue to do so no matter what.

But could you argue that ANYTHING you do to congratulate or honor the student could hurt the sibling. Should I never acknowledge what my one child did? If he gets Honor Roll, or scores the winning basket, or makes first chair or wins a blue ribbon for painting etc, and I take them out for say an ice cream, the other child could feel bad. The other child could feel bad if it is announced by the principal...why is it the bumper sticker would make the other child feel bad but not any other acknowledgement, or are you saying dont acknowledge at all?

 

[RunningGirl]

But could you argue that ANYTHING you do to congratulate or honor the student could hurt the sibling. Should I never acknowledge what my one child did? If he gets Honor Roll, or scores the winning basket, or makes first chair or wins a blue ribbon for painting etc, and I take them out for say an ice cream, the other child could feel bad. The other child could feel bad if it is announced by the principal...why is it the bumper sticker would make the other child feel bad but not any other acknowledgement, or are you saying dont acknowledge at all?

Hmmm I have to say I do struggle with this. I do think that our kids' accomplishments should be acknowledged and I really do hate the "everyone gets a trophy" attitude all the time. However, I do think we need to make an effort to show each of our own kids that we're proud of them. For example, I know someone with 2 sons in college. One goes to a military academy and the other to a state university - admittedly not one well known for academics. She's got three stickers on the back of her car for the military academy and not one for the state university. I am glad she's proud of her older son, but wonder how the second feels when he sees that. (By the way, those are the only stickers on her car.)
I've never put an "honor student" sticker on my car, but then again I hate bumper stickers. (And if your kid doesn't make the honor roll the next semester are you supposed to peel it off?)

 

[torinsmom]

But could you argue that ANYTHING you do to congratulate or honor the student could hurt the sibling. Should I never acknowledge what my one child did? If he gets Honor Roll, or scores the winning basket, or makes first chair or wins a blue ribbon for painting etc, and I take them out for say an ice cream, the other child could feel bad. The other child could feel bad if it is announced by the principal...why is it the bumper sticker would make the other child feel bad but not any other acknowledgement, or are you saying dont acknowledge at all?

Not saying you shouldn't celebrate the child being on the honor roll, but I think the bumper sticker is more in your face. The sibling would see it every single day for as long as it was on the car, whereas, I would imagine you wouldn't congratulate your honor student in front of the sibling every single day, right? We need to affirm all our kids, whether they are on the honor roll, or worked their hardest to get a B. When I was in school, I didn't even have to study to make straight A's. My son, on the other hand, works as hard as he can and makes some B's and even C's. I acknowledge his hard work, because for him, that C may have been really hard to earn. And no, I am not saying give every child a trophy. I am talking words of affirmation from a parent.

I would love to put a sticker on my car that said "Proud mom of a perfectly average child".

 

[LisaR]

But could you argue that ANYTHING you do to congratulate or honor the student could hurt the sibling. Should I never acknowledge what my one child did? If he gets Honor Roll, or scores the winning basket, or makes first chair or wins a blue ribbon for painting etc, and I take them out for say an ice cream, the other child could feel bad. The other child could feel bad if it is announced by the principal...why is it the bumper sticker would make the other child feel bad but not any other acknowledgement, or are you saying dont acknowledge at all?

Because the bumper sticker never goes away. The non-honor roll kid sees it every day, day in and day out when he jumps into the vehicle. Congratulating a child on good grades or the game winning basket and celebrating with ice cream is a one time thing. It won't be brought up every day of the week for the next year and you won't celebrate it every day.

 

[luvmy3]

Y'all are a bunch of fuddy duddies!!!

Yes, I wear buttons with pictures of my kids to their sporting events. I also wear light up dread locks in the team colors, ring cowbells (that are also in team colors), have light up team colored spirit sticks, shake pom poms, and wear shirts that say "Child's Name's Mom." Especially on my daughter's cheer team. We all do it. It's highly encouraged by the coaches so we run with it. We have a great time and it pumps the kids up. Ain't nothing wrong with that! I do not think of myself as too cool to participate in a little team spirit.

My kids think it's hilarious! So do their friends. It's all in good fun. My children have fabulous personalities and senses of humor. They cheer just as loudly for each other as I do for each of them. I LOVE that!

So go ahead and think youself superior while you give the polite golf clap and praise for nothing in particluar. I'll keep turning cartwheels with my spirit sticks lit.

Right because there is nothing in the middle of polite golf clap and crazy fun team mom.

And FTR, there is a huge difference between showing team support in a fun way that gets the team all psyched up, and walking around like a human billboard promoting your own child's greatness

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I don't care either way about the bumber stickers. However, as I saw a old one on a car today I couldn't help but think what that middle school honor student is doing some 10 years later?
They good be doing great or it may have been their high point in their education??

 

[sunshinehighway]

I find the honor roll or student of the month bumper stickers annoying because I don't care if some random stranger's kid is an honor roll student. By find them annoying I mean if I'm stuck behind a car with one, I'd probably do an eyeroll. If someone is proud of their kid, good for them. I would think most parents are proud of their children. What's the point of announcing it to everyone? I'd doubt anyone cares. Your kid does something to make you proud, great. Tell them you are proud, take them out to dinner, let grandma know. Its between you and that kid (and whoever is close to them).

 

[disykat]

Because the bumper sticker never goes away. The non-honor roll kid sees it every day, day in and day out when he jumps into the vehicle. Congratulating a child on good grades or the game winning basket and celebrating with ice cream is a one time thing. It won't be brought up every day of the week for the next year and you won't celebrate it every day.

Yep. Every day, you are telling every person that sees your car. You are opening the subject up for discussion so people may ask your kids and/or congratulate them about their grades, putting any child in your family NOT on the honor roll in a really awkward position.

It's natural as a parent to want to brag about your child, finding a way to do it to thousands of people every single day is the weird part.

 

[Janepod]

Growing up, nothing I did was ever good enough for my parents. If I got a 95, it was "why didn't you get 100." I made honor roll every semester of my life, but if I was literally not straight As, I was grounded.

I would have jumped for joy if my parents ever put one of those bumper stickers on a car. It would have been the one time I felt they were proud of me.