First of all, congrats to you Emily on horning in on some quality father son time. I know that a child, even a son, certainly does not need a father in his life because a mother does everything as well or better than a father does anyway. You struck a small blow for the sisterhood by showing the boys that a girl could play baseball, albeit poorly. You go grrl.

Maybe your son was crabby with you because he'd rather play baseball with his father. You say you "insisted" that it was "your turn." Maybe son (and father) resent you for "insisting" on having "your turn." Or maybe your son resents you turning an activity that should be all about him into some odd subliminal contest between you two that you later turn into a piece of writing for your job?

I'm sure your husband acquiesed because that is probably the only option around you, but trust me, inside he was rolling his eyes. And your son was probably doing the same thing.

To your main point, your feelings of irritation at having your son throw better than you are disgusting. As a parent you should be thrilled when your child surpasses you. To not be is a sign of extreme narcissism.

So maybe you have a personality disorder? Maybe your son surpassing you offends your feminist feelings about needing to best the boys in all things? Whatever the cause, your sentiments are some of the most churlish feelings I've had the displeasure to read in a long time.

A Dude,

We all feel bad about your divorce and the judges decision to send the kids with your ex, but could you please leave your issues in the shrinks office and not drag your dirty laundry into the Fray discussion board.

Thanks,

-- MrJM

I agree that her personalization of her sofball skill is immature and self involved. I think some of these comments are way over the top. "horning in on dad-son relations", "Snow Witch" let's hold up here and put the issue in perspective. Beening self-involved doesn't mean you're evil or insane, just immature. It is hard to accuse her of a lack of perspective and distance if we respond in kind.

Err, FTR, never divorced, happily married, never seen a shrink, kids healthy, dog still alive, house still standing, employed, library card membership up to date. But thanks for your sympathies.

I stand by "horning in on father son relations."

I didn't call her Snow Witch, I didn't call her evil or insane either, although I did throw out the prospect of a personality disorder.

Maybe I was over the top, but if you assume that when she writes something it is an honest communication of her feelings, than what we have is a person who actually became jealous because her own child throws a baseball better than her (and plays Scrabble apparently). And then felt so strong about this that she wrote a column about it and published it on a major online website. That strikes me as extremely odd.

I feel wonderful when one of my kids does something better than I do, or learns something better/quicker than I did at their age. I believe most parents feel similar. Actual feelings of jealousy, as evidenced by the literature she cites, is an indication to me that something is just slightly off in her head.

So I guess Emily should get back in the kitchen and stop trying to show interest in her son's activity. I'm sure she feels properly chastened by your post.