Today we spent a lazy Sunday afternoon in Harvard Square enjoying brunch, shopping and just walking around for old times sake. As we meandered through the Harvard CoOp I saw a baby onsie similar to this:
I've also seen this bib for sale from various vendors in the Prudential mall:
At first glance, these can be cute and laughable - ha, ha so funny but then I give it a second thought. Would you want to subject your child to such high expectations? What statement are you trying to make by dressing your child in these items?
Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive about this but here's a little secret - I graduated from MIT with both an engineering degree and MBA. My best friend and her husband went to Harvard. I have countless friends from business school or in my Management Consulting firm that have had the distinction of graduating Harvard. Yet I would never, ever buy Iylah this bib or onsie (or the corresponding MIT ones), and it's not for a simple rivalry of "that little school up the river"
I don't want to subject Iylah to these expectations. Ever.
I don't want her seeing pictures of herself wearing this bib or onsie and thinking "oh, my parents really wanted me to go to Harvard or MIT" and thinking that she's a disappointment or that we love her any less if that path doesn't materialize.
For one, I think it's pretty unrealistic and it shouldn't be a goal in itself. There are plenty of other goals in life far more worthy. Secondly, that's an incredible amount of pressure to put on a child. Perhaps I've just met too many parents who've obsessed over this to the detriment of their kids. Is your child any less smart or less valuable if they don't go to some big name school? Would you really love them any less?
 |
| MIT or bust.... |
My parents never expected me to go to MIT or really any Ivy League school. Sure, they were proud when this did happen but it wasn't ever an expectation for either me or any of my siblings. They just wanted us to find our way in life and be happy.
I do not wish that Iylah will be a future Harvard or MIT freshman. My wish for Iylah is three-fold:
1.) Be happy - Iylah, I want you to find a path in life that will allow you to be happy and find joy everyday, whatever that path may be.
2.) Self sufficient - I wish that you'll be financially self sufficient. This doesn't mean needing to be rich by any means but just having the financial means to support yourself so that you don't have to rely on or answer to anyone but yourself.
3.) Respect and be thoughtful of others. Be humble, thoughtful, value and respect others no matter how much money they have, where they came from, what school they did (or didn't go to), or what they believe.
These three things I wish of you.
Love.
Your Mommie.
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