Dear Big Brother,

Lately, it seems hard to compliment you. Not because you are not good at things - you are - but because you seem to have a harder time hearing it. You are incredibly hard on yourself. You set these really high standards for yourself and you get very upset when you do not live up to your expectations. When Daddy or I try to point out all of the things you are amazing at you simply point out all the reasons you are less awesome. You are wrong. You are an amazing kid, an amazing person. You are super fun to be around and you have many many talents. You are smart and funny and completely fabulous! 

I wish that you were able to see how truly talented you are. One of the things that you are just amazingly good at is taking pictures. Lately, there are days that I hand you the camera and ask you to take pictures of Big Sister or Tiny Sister in some new dress or whatever. I wish that you could accept when I tell you how awesome you are because if you could accept that I would also be able to guide you in the ways you can improve. I suppose it is pride but if I tell you to do this or that to improve all you hear is that the picture is not "good enough." We are working on it together, though. I am working on saying things that you are able to hear and, hopefully, you are working on being able to improve on your amazing skills without feelings like you are not good enough. 

We all have things that we could use to improve. All of us. Improving yourself is an essential skill in life. Being able to learn from the good and the bad in life is difficult but it will make you such an amazing person. It will make you someone who is always growing. It will make you someone who is capable of doing and being anything. It will make you the kind of person who can always support and help a friend. So, my little man, I love you and I want the best for you. I am proud of who you are and I want you to continue to grow. I will support you as you grow and you can always count on me to be your biggest cheering section. 

Love, 

Mommy