We all have someone in our lives that will “one up” you. You fell and sprained your ankle; they fell and double sprained their entire foot. I could go on know you get the drift. Annoying. It’s a very odd sort of competition. After a while I just want to say, “Ok, ok! You win, you’ve had things way worse than me!” Even when it’s not true.
When Thomas was around 8yrs old a woman I worked with asked if she could give my number to her friend having a difficult time with their child. Of course I said yes. This mother was upset. Her daughter was a teen. Wouldn’t attend school. I said “that must be terrible.” OMG, she out of nowhere turned on me! “What do you know? Your kid is small, he’s 8!” Bitter woman had no idea what I was tolerating in my home. I didn’t even answer. She then asked for a psychiatrist recommendation. I said no problem, he’s in Manhattan and doesn’t take insurance. The mother’s response, “Oh NO! We need someone who takes insurance. Besides, the way she’s going we’ll have to use up her college fund.” Ok lady you win! Nut.
Why do people have to one up someone else? Or they are stuck in the past, a negative past. Where their past situations were way worse than anything you could have experienced. As much as I write about Thomas there are a shit-ton of experiences I don’t talk about. I don’t feel the need to. If it makes someone feel better to have it worse than everyone else; no problem.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 