Ive been raising my daughter alone for a decent amount of time and when her Mom was visiting her the other day and something hit me like a wayward foul ball at a minor league baseball game! Camerons Mom was giving me a mini lecture on how Cameron would love to wear this certain outfit when this realization occurred. I didnt say anything to Mom for fear of a useless argument, but I realized that its not about Cameron and what she wears! Its about Mom and how she feels about what Cameron wears.

This is obviously true, because as long as Cameron is comfortable and has access to food, juice, and Clifford the Big Red Dog, all is well. Cameron doesnt need a whole lot else.

So why is it that parents throughout the world say that their child would like to wear this or that, go here or there, or do this or that? Kids are cool with almost anything; its the parents that want their ego stroked. I dont want this to seem like Im chastising my ex-wife, because Im not. Camerons grandmother, my mother, does exactly the same thing. At the end of the day, I think these things are done so strangers will say things like, "Oh thats the cutest baby Ive ever seen", and the adult can walk away with their own self importance intact.

Although I said that Im not chastising my ex-wife, maybe Im chastising women? But when I think about it, I see plenty of Dads out there doing the same kinds of things. Have you ever seen a Dad walking through the mall with one of those harnesses strapped around his chest that secures the child, facing forward, in front of him? My God, will someone stop the madness? You see, its not only women who do these seemingly crazy things. Its all parents. Parents who take themselves entirely too seriously, in my opinion.

At the end of the day, my point is simple. As parents, lets all make sure that our actions are in the best interest of our children and not just being done to give our own ego a pat on the back.

Trevor Kugler - Co-founder of JRWfishing.com and founder of yourmoneyconnection.com Trevor has more than 15 years of business experience and currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country - Montana.

http://www.yourmoneyconnection.com - start actually making money online today. Find out how for FREE! http://www.jrwfishing.com - products and information to save you time and help you catch more fish. Trevors E-books - http://www.lulu.com/tkugler