So my previous realization was that I was being snobby and bragging about my child's reading ability. I have made a better effort to be low-key about it.

http://www.open.salon.com/blog/dogmom/2009/02/17/omg_im_one_of_those_parents

But now ... I'm afraid I'm pushing my son to be friends with the future cool kids. It's true that I'm discouraging a friendship with a boy he gets in trouble with. It's hard enough for him to control his own class clown instincts, without having the other class clown, his best friend, egging him on. (And vice versa.)

I think, though, that in my guidance to find him more appropriate role models ("Learning Leaders" is a term his teacher uses when children are modeling good behavior), that I have subconsciously chosen the two boys who I think are going to be the cool kids. I only mentioned it once or twice, but I think he was paying attention. Or maybe it was just a coincidence.

Anyway, on his progress report, he now lists them as 2 of his 3 best friends. He wants to invite them over together for a sleepover. This weekend, he's going to a sleepover with both of them. And do you know when I realized I have a probem? When I was so thrilled with this invitation that I am blowing off his Gifted class placement testing. If you've read my previous story about it, you know this is something I've been obsessing about. http://www.open.salon.com/blog/dogmom/2009/03/24/ramblings_of_a_neurotic_mother

(In my defense, these are two sweet, good natured, well-behaved boys. Also, there is a second date for the testing, but normally, I'd get it out of the way ASAP, and this weekend works a little better around the soccer game schedule.)