I always wanted to write on parenting because I studied a lot about it while I was in Yemen. I wasn't sure how learning those stuffs helps coming back to my country where today, a lot of us married at later age, and not many people had children. The reality hits when I took up short term jobs with schools, thus I realized the purpose I had been given parenting, family and marriage modules in Yemen.

Joe, this is a great article. While comparison may lead to healthy competition but if we are not careful, it only build low self esteem over time among children. This isn't spoken until at later age when siblings don't get along well or either one of the children don't like being with the family members often.

And I understand the line you mentioned as we all grow up, we all moved separate directions and we don't get to keep in touch with old friends. Thank you for sharing this piece.