"Look at that little boy. Mommy would love it if you were nice like him."

I cringe when I hear the word "nice" in any context...especially one like this. Wow.

i agree with what most peolple here said about what that mom said, as well as with you.

i try never to compare the kids i work with to other kids or say "look that little boy or girl is being good why cant you be like that" especially if all they are doing is just well being kids. also i belive it makes them feel less of themselves and well that is something that would hurt me as well, i remeber how my mom would say that sometimes to me, i didnt like it.

Comments that compare children really rub me the wrong way too, BUT -- I'd give that mama the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes things slip out of my mouth before I've thought them through, and I feel pretty foolish/bad aftewards. I would try to assume that the one comment you heard is not a reflectoin of her whole parenting style.

I don't like comparing either and have found it to be a problem with my in-laws here who see my dd at least once a week . I have to say that I hear the "look at that child! he's not crying like you!" comment quite often here, which bugs me a bit. It's really not only that either, but also other things to get children to conform to be like others. It worries me because i do see that my dd wants to have what others have. Maybe it's normal for her age - she's three. I hope she'll grow out of it...especially when she gets to be a teen.