Do Parents Love Victories More Than the Kids Who Win Them?

You’ve seen it before, haven’t you?

The child gets the diploma, lifts the small trophy with shy hands and the parent… already films, posts, tags, and captions it with “So proud of my little champion!”

The child smiles. Not because they grasp the meaning of “success”, but because they know - if they don’t smile, the picture won’t look good.

And somehow, everyone in the room can feel that the joy isn’t really theirs.

Here’s the sad paradox: when parents love victories too much, kids start enduring them in silence.

Adults often mistake their children’s success for their own validation. We want proof that we’re good parents - involved, dedicated, always there.

But kids don’t chase medals. They chase moments when someone truly sees their effort, not just the result.

And sometimes, in that tight hug after a win, a quiet question flickers in their minds:

“Would you still be proud if I had lost?”

There’s nothing wrong with pride. But when love for the victory becomes louder than love for the child, the trophy stops shining - it just highlights the distance between us.

How many times did you celebrate for your child… and how many times instead of them?

Do Parents Love Victories More Than the Kids Who Win Them?