I Bet I Can Lose Top Writer Status Faster Than You

Finally, I have something to boast about on here.

At the beginning of December, I received a surprising email congratulating me on being a top writer in the topic of parenting.

The three articles that earned me this privilege had a cumulative 172 views. Impressive, I know.

My first thought was that people must not be writing parenting articles because that was a pretty low bar.

Nonetheless, I was happy to be recognized in the parenting realm. I have raised five children, and that alone is noteworthy. It earns me at least two Mother’s Day gifts each year.

Easy Come, Easy Go

A few days later, I mentioned my new top writer status to my husband and told him that this should excuse me from doing dishes for the month.

I informed him that being a top writer was a huge honor with special privileges. He doesn’t know much about this writing platform, so I knew he wouldn’t check those facts.

My husband did, however, insist that he needed proof before removing me from the dishwashing schedule. So, I pulled up my profile to proudly show him the evidence.

The parenting accolade was gone.

It had vanished, similar to sound sleep and regular date nights for most parents.

It was perplexing, but I have been a top writer before, and these honors occasionally disappear from my profile for a day. I wasn’t too concerned. The next day I checked again, but there was still no mention of this writing accomplishment.

It has now been a few weeks, and the top writer tag has not returned to my profile which leads me to believe it may never come back.

I was a star in the parenting writing world for at least three days, and then it was gone. How can someone who raised five children lose a parenting award?

It is easier than you think.

Blame the Youngest

Although I don’t know for certain, I suspect my youngest child emailed someone at big M headquarters and questioned their decision to give me the award.

This youngest child loves to tell people that the only B grade I received in graduate school was in a course called Supervision. This is true, but his understanding of supervision is a little different than the course description.

Nonetheless, he repeatedly questions my authority in supervising children since I got a B in that class. He may have also felt that it was false advertising to have a parenting honor prominently listed on my profile.

Always Look On the Bright Side

Although I can no longer boast about being a top writer in the topic of parenting, I may have earned new bragging rights.

I lost a top writer badge in less than 72 hours.

Can anyone beat that record?

In addition to this recent loss, I have also lost my motivation. Please send help.

Jill is a clinical psychologist, blogger, and occasional top writer. She shares behavioral health tips every week on her blog.