DON'T TRY TO MAKE A HAPPY BABY HAPPIER

One of my great friends is a former psychologist from Texas.  If you listen long enough, she will always say something that sticks.  One of my favorite lines is, “Don’t try to make a happy baby happier.”  What a visual!  A baby is completely comfortable and making sweet noises.  What does the dad do?  Tickle it!  The baby begins to cry and the moment is ruined.

This is also true in school districts. “Highlight” presentations can often lead to the need to pick on things.  The next thing you know, the “highlight” turned into a source of jealousy or contention.  Something that was humming along can take a bad turn with an unnecessary spotlight.  Sometimes, it’s best to be quiet when people are generally happy with aspects of the work.  Resist the urge to tickle the baby!