Every child blooms in their own time. If you’re trying to stop comparing your child to others, compare today to last month instead.
It’s hard not to compare. The cousin who walked early. The neighbor’s kid who already reads. The friend’s toddler who talks in full sentences. But flowers don’t all open on the same day, and nobody tells a rose to hurry.
What it means for your child
Children grow at different speeds and in different ways, and all of it counts.
- Babies: Some babies crawl early, some scoot and some take their time. Each one finds their own way to get moving.
- Toddlers: One toddler talks a lot. Another points and shows you. Both are telling you something, so listen to the way your child talks to you.
- Preschoolers: Some preschoolers love letters. Others would rather climb and build. Follow what lights them up.
- School-age kids: Kids this age grow in reading, in friendships and in solving problems. Notice how they’ve grown this year, not just this week.
Try this tonight
Tonight, look back instead of sideways. Here’s how.
- Think of one thing your child can do now that they couldn’t do last month.
- Tell them: “Remember when that was hard? Look at you now!”
- Write it on a calendar or in your phone, so you can look back later.
Words you can use
- “You’re growing every day.”
- “Remember when you couldn’t do that? Look at you now.”
- “I love watching you learn.”
At Nana’s Place
At Nana’s Place, we care for children from 6 weeks to 12 years old at two Glendale buildings, with day, evening and overnight care. Every child who walks through our doors is one of a kind. If you’d like to see our space, come take a tour.
Questions parents ask
What if I’m worried my child is behind?
Trust your gut. It’s always okay to ask your child’s doctor. Asking a question doesn’t mean something is wrong. It just means you care.
How do I stop comparing my kids to each other?
Notice each child’s own wins and say them out loud. Praise them one at a time, not side by side. Each one is growing on their own path.
Growing takes time, and so does waiting. Nana wrote about both in Today’s tiny steps are tomorrow’s big adventures and Patience is love that waits for little legs to catch up.
