Avatar

All right, let's do this. I realize ahead of time that I could upset some people.

Duly noted.

Why in the world do people use pictures of their children as their avatars? It makes absolutely no sense to me. There's a safety issue attached, and there's a real question of priorities as well. Do you not like your own looks? I've had someone use that reason. Are you extra-super-proud of your children? I've heard that one as well.

It makes me wonder if some people lessen their own value in order to elevate their child's. That is a big ol' problem in my view, because not only does it create a heavy burden for a child (if I'm more important than mom or dad, then I must be responsible  for him/her as well) but it can also elevate the child's self-esteem to an unhealthy level. I think we've all seen what happens when someone believes his own hype. Those people are freaking annoying.

As an aside, I spoke about this with GPOM, and he concisely stated what I was meanderingly thinking: I'm friends with you, not your kid. And here's the bad news: I don't think your child is as endlessly fascinating as you do. I think your kid's just fine. Hell, I might even like your kid. But you are my friend, you are the one I want to see on the internet, and you are the one I discuss life with.

So show yourself and be yourself.