# Bumper stickers that read "my child is a great kid" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 21, 2002, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877 "2002-11-21T04:51:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Suspenderzzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Suspenderzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suspenderzzz)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/21 "2002-11-21T21:23:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jinwicked \* > \*\*I always liked the ones that said “My kid beat up your honour student” myself. \*\* I had one of those on my car – proudly. LOL! ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/22 "2002-11-21T21:39:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flodnak \* > **Regardless of whether the bumper sticker is there because Snotleigh didn’t have the grades to get one of those “My Daughter is on the Honor Roll at Richard M. Nixon Elementary School” or because her school has refused to jump on the band wagon and hand out bumper stickers… if I saw one, I’d probably have a fit. With luck I would not be driving.** I think I’m in love. ---
**Author:** ![Maryellen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@Maryellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maryellen)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/23 "2002-11-21T22:05:59Z")
**InternetLegend** , the “Mommy” t-shirt you described made me laugh, so I searched for it. [http://www.nowandzen.com/mymomsayimsp.html](http://www.nowandzen.com/mymomsayimsp.html) ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2002, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/24 "2002-11-21T23:56:13Z")
Flodnak-you said it much better than me. I actually believe that all the posters here have great kids but I think you can build a child’s self-esteem better by letting him/her know why he/she is special to you than by putting a generic sticker on your car. If that is the only way you have to show your child you are proud than you are a poor parent. In addition, if your child knows how proud you are than there is nothing to be gained by letting the child think that anyone has to keep up with the neighbor’s bragging. FWIW-I don’t particularly care for “honor roll” stickers as I think modesty is an undertaught value in this society, but they don’t bother me as much because they celebrate specific accomplishments. I do, however, approve of stickers that say “Richard M. Nixon Elementary-where all students are special.” The latter teaches children that school spirit and community are important values as opposed to selfcentered bragging. ---
**Author:** ![Kritter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Kritter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kritter)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/25 "2002-11-22T01:41:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by psychobunny \* > **I actually believe that all the posters here have great kids but I think you can build a child’s self-esteem better by letting him/her know why he/she is special to you than by putting a generic sticker on your car. If that is the only way you have to show your child you are proud than you are a poor parent. In addition, if your child knows how proud you are than there is nothing to be gained by letting the child think that anyone has to keep up with the neighbor’s bragging.** Why do you think that this is the only thing they do for their kids? Do you think that every one of these people just slaps a sticker on their car and says “well, that takes care of that self asteem problem”? I do alot of stuff for my kids and I dont think that you or anyone else should judge my parenting skills just based on one thing you see. You can single out every little thing that people do for their kids and view it as poor parenting, but you need to see the whole picture before making a judgement like that. > [@](#): > > \*\*FWIW-I don’t particularly care for “honor roll” stickers as I think modesty is an undertaught value in this society, but they don’t bother me as much because they celebrate specific accomplishments. I do, however, approve of stickers that say “Richard M. Nixon Elementary-where all students are special.” The latter teaches children that school spirit and community are important values as opposed to selfcentered bragging. \*\* OK, I do have an honor roll sticker on my back window but not for braggin rights. If I wanted to brag I would do It like **InternetLegend** and brag at partys and message boards. Three of my four kids are school aged, and all three of them are the #1 student in their class according to their teachers. The **only** other people that know this are my, and my wifes parents. The only reason I have this sticker on my car is because they asked me to put it there, and I dont think it was too much to ask. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/26 "2002-11-22T02:14:19Z")
I want a bumper sticker that says “I Don’t Give A Rat’s Ass About Your Kid”. Oh, and just FTR, I don’t give a rat’s ass if you have a Baby On Board either. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/27 "2002-11-22T02:27:24Z")
I don’t have any bumper stickers on my car (about my kids anything else).But if I were to have a bumper sticker about my kids , it wouldn’t be about being on the honor roll or anything like that.It would be about having a great kid, not because my children don’t earn the more specific achievements ( they do), and not because I want to build up their self-esteem (they don’t need it), but because the type of person they are is more important to me than their achievements. I’d rather have a C student with good character than a straight A student who lies. I’d rather have a student who struggles to get C’s than an A student who gives up after the slightest frustration.And although my son doesn’t really understand this, if I had to choose either sportsmanship or athletic ability, I’d rather he was a good sportsman than a good athlete. And that’s why I’d pick the “great kid” bumper sticker if I had to pick one- to let my kid know what’s important to me. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/28 "2002-11-22T03:10:20Z")
> [@](#): > > . If you tell your kid it’s “fantastic” that she got a 95 on a test in arithmetic, her best subject, what are you going to say when she remembers all her spelling words even though she’s been struggling there? “Well, look at this! Not only did you get a fantastic math score, you remembered all of your spelling words, too! How wonderful! I’m so proud of you!” Just because you’ve already said that it’s “fantastic” that she got a high score in her best subject doesn’t mean that praise for a subject she’s struggling with automatically becomes empty praise. _Keep_ praising the things that are already good, and they’ll try to continue doing them well. Praise the victories in the weaker subjects, and encourage them to keep trying when they encounter difficulties. What you’ll hopefully end up with is a child who feels loved and valued by his/her parents, has decent self-esteem, and isn’t afraid to keep trying when the situation becomes difficult. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/29 "2002-11-22T04:59:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by psychobunny \* > I do, however, approve of stickers that say “Richard M. Nixon Elementary-where all students are special.” The latter teaches children that school spirit and community are important values as opposed to selfcentered bragging. You’re living up to your name, because THAT’S NOT EVEN AS MEANINGFUL AS THE “GREAT KID” BUMPER STICKER. At most schools the administrator’s asses and the sports “heroes” are much more important than the average kid. And what the fuck is school spirit? Cheering for the sports teams? We all know how important throwing a baseball or tackling someone is in the average person’s everyday life. FUCK SCHOOL SPIRIT! And then you drag in that incredibly vague “community” jazz??? > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Suspenderzzz_ > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by jinwicked_ > > I always liked the ones that said “My kid beat up your honour student” myself. > > I had one of those on my car – proudly. LOL ADVOCATING VIOLENCE TOWARD KIDS IS NOT A JOKE, ASSHOLES. You do understand bullies see that and realize you’re on their side, don’t you? That flippant attitude is a major factor in harrassing kids who go on to school shootings. I know you’re proud. Go to hell. ---
**Author:** ![njufoic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/278dde/32.png) [@njufoic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njufoic)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/30 "2002-11-22T06:43:58Z")
I’m totally with **flodnak** on this one. I hate those stickers. I also hate college stickers. I actually attend what might be considered a prestigious college, and I refuse to slap the sticker on my rear window. I mean, come on. Are we going to start stickering our GPAs, our SAT scores, or how much money we’re paying for annual tuition, too? By the way, I once saw a car with what appeared to be a “Whatever College” sticker (Old English font, red lettering), except it actually said “Your College Sucks”. I need one of those. -Andrew L ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2002, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/31 "2002-11-22T16:37:32Z")
I’d love to see the bumper stickers mentioned here that people have wanted to put on their cars. There are places that will make custom bumper stickers. Try this site: [www.makestickers.com](http://www.makestickers.com) . ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877/32 "2002-11-23T02:24:46Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Suspenderzzz_ > **I always liked the ones that said “My kid beat up your honour student” myself.** > > _Originally posted by jinwicked_ > **I had one of those on my car – proudly. LOL** > > \*Originally posted by rowrrbazzle \* > \*\*ADVOCATING VIOLENCE TOWARD KIDS IS NOT A JOKE, ASSHOLES. You do understand bullies see that and realize you’re on their side, don’t you? That flippant attitude is a major factor in harrassing kids who go on to school shootings. I know you’re proud. Go to hell. \*\* Amen, **rowrrbazzle**. When my nephew was in high school, my sister (his mom) had one of those. Funny thing: it disappeared mighty quick after he got arrested for B&E. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bumper-stickers-that-read-my-child-is-a-great-kid/137877.md?page=1)