things that annoy us

I don't have a sister so I can't comment on them
I have one full brother left and he is a PITA. Selfish arrogant narcissistic misogynist pigheaded ignorant racist piece of dirt.
We don't really get on!

It sounds as if she has a bit of an inferiority complex, or at least is hoping to impress you.

My younger brother, I am the middle of 5 kids, has set himself up as the head of the family, which is fine. But, like when we were kids, he still seeks my approval.

I have often wondered if drama queens are acting. Or is that how they actually feel? I have never had one ion the family, so giving them a slap was never really an option open to me.

That's the thing: sometimes you have to not worry about looking "silly" or curious and just not live your life based on what people think of you. Sure, there ARE times when it is right to care about what others think, But sometimes you just have to think of yourself and think of what YOU want.

Other people are not perfect, either and will also make mistakes. Putting others above yourself is a mistake and you need to have belief in yourself.

My nieces and nephews are high achievers, Ivy League grads, and professionally successful however they are self-entitled and self-centered, especially the older one. He married into a very well-to-do family. His in-laws gave them a very significant amount to buy a house with the condition that the house has to be within walking distance from their house ( the in-laws). The in-laws live in one of the most expensive cities in the US, the same town where the FaceBook founder lives. She called to brag about their new house. I am sorry but I still have this Asian mentality. A man should never accept his wife's parents money for anything even though the other way around is okay, to me. When I told her what I think, she told me " well, their daugher married a surgeon, what do you think about it?"

If I had kids, I'd be glad if they were healthy and happy: rather than wanting them to be high flying achievers and bragging about them.

It is great their children have done so well for themselves, but there is no need to brag.

My proudest of my daughter, is that I like, and admire her. Loving your children is a given, but liking or admiring Has to be earned. Though they do get a head start. 

My proudest moment of my daughter was when she was about 8 and won a skating competition. She got a little medal.
Her friend came third. After school the friend wanted to play our house so we stopped make sure it was ok with the girls mother. Of course the little girl was very excited and showed her mother her third place medal.
The mother asked my daughter if she had skated and my daughter just said 'yes we all skated' ..
Afterwards I asked my daughter about it... 'when your friend showed her mum that third place medal you didn't mention that you had won first prize.'

No she said . It was her turn .. You knew I had won , but her mummy needed to be proud of her so I let her have her turn...

That she didnt need to brag or be in the spotlight and was able to let her friend have that moment of glory was the thing that made me more proud than any medal.

It sounds like you're a good mum, Rebecca.

I can appreciate parenting is not an easy job!

I do think the parents are not always to blame for their child's behaviour: there ARE badly behaved children who have nice-as-pie parents. Plus, child psychology is different to general adult psychology. I'm no psychologist, but I do know - and this should be obvious - children see life in a different light to adults. This means their behaviour does not always have obvious reasons.

Anyhow, most parents just want to do a good job of raising their children: and most parents succeed. But looking after a few boys when they're young children must be incredibly hard work. So I applaud any mother that does it.

Is John feeling that bad, Karen?

Annie he was but thankfully since then he is doing much better. I just hope it continues today.

Thank you Candy. Greatly appreciated.

I think it is something that they are trained to chant........