Why Do Parents Like to Compare
My parents used to compare me all the time to my cousins, my brothers/sisters and even themselves. I was always told how much smarter they were, how much more responsible they were, how much better they were at saving money or how they learned to earn money at an earlier age. And of course they accomplished all this with much less than what I had. I used to believe that I was the worse son that a parent could have because I didn’t level up to their expectations. I hated being compared!
Later in life, I realize that this cycle is part of life. You as parents will compare your kids. Parents subconsciously do this as a motivation tool for their children. We are competitive because we are constantly compared with others. If we are told that we are perfect, we become content believing that we are good enough (or worse, better than everyone else). It may seem odd, but comparing you with others who may seemingly be better than you is a way to help you achieve your inner potential. Don’t get stressed when your parents or others compare you. It is a parent’s funny way of telling you that you have great potential and they are encouraging you to reach for them.
Someday your parents will leave this world and you will no longer hear them compare you except in your memories. That day, you will thank them for encouraging (i.e., comparing) you to become who you are today and who you will become in the future. A lot of things in life doesn’t make sense when you are young, but you will discover why things work the way they do as you mature. If you are still a kid, enjoy your moment and don’t let things like being compared stress you out. Take it for what it is – “an encouragement to help you reach your inner potential”.
If this post has inspired you, you may also enjoy reading my other post, What Defines Greatness.
