When a child is compared to another.... Options

[Mistress Bags]

I know I'm older and don't live with my mom, but this is something that always held me back as a child, and something that pisses me off to this day.

I hate it when a parent compares her child to somebody else's child. For example: "Ashley, why can't you make better grades? Mrs. Thompson's daughter Lily makes straight A's, and she's not remarkably smart. I don't think you're trying hard enough."

Or..

"Ashley, why can't you keep your room immaculate? Mrs. Thompson NEVER has to tell HER children to clean. You're such a bad child."

People make mistakes. Furthermore, children are not even close to perfect. They're growing into an individual. Instead of comparing their faults to another's strengths, why not be more understanding? If you want your child to make better grades or to clean his/her room more often, try to find a more positive way to do it.

Did anybody have to deal with this when growing up? How do you feel about it?

[breakingdawn]

My dad did that once. My school posts kids who get honors/high honors in the paper, and I only had honors but my best friend got high honors and my dad said something like, "Lauren, you should be getting high honors, Nick does. I bet he doesn't do his homework in front of the tv" (I liked to do my homework while watching That 70's Show last year) Since when is getting honors bad?

My brother always used to compare me to his friend's sister. She was so much skinnier and athletic and musicly inclined than me. And so much less annoying, apparently.