Being Proud vs Being Prideful

A friend of mine today on Facebook asked "what is your proudest moment as a parent"?  That is a question that I'm not sure if I can answer as there are many moments that have made me proud.  The question almost crosses the line of being proud and being prideful.  Being proud of your children for something is wonderful and something all parents should feel.  Feeling pride in yourself as a parent is completely different though, as that is where you are taking all the credit.  What is your proudest moment or what moment do you take the most pride in.  Two completely different things, but which could both be taken from the statement. 

PROUD: feeling pleasure or satisfaction over something
PRIDEFUL: having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

I know my friend did not mean her post to be about being prideful, but about being proud of your children.  It did make me think about the distinction though.  I will always be proud of my children and their accomplishments.  However, I must always be careful to never let that turn into pride. 

On the original question of proudest moment, it would vary by child.  My children are pretty amazing!  It's all them though.  They were born amazing.  I'm doing my best to be a good mother, a good example, a good guide; in reality I am just hanging on for the ride.

I am proud of my oldest for making and achieving his goal of receiving every belt loop that the cub scouts offer.  There are 53 of them!  I don't know of any other child that has done this.  He is very goal driven and doesn't let anything stop him from finding a way to achieve his dreams.

I am proud of my second child for working hard to overcome her vision disability.  She has worked really hard to turn her disability into something that she can control.  In the meantime, she has excelled at everything she has done.

I am proud of my third child for being such a creative child.  He loves to create.  You never know what he is going to come up with from one moment to the next.  What he comes up with never ceases to amaze me.

I am proud of my youngest for being a compassionate young girl.  She is so loving, kind, and caring.  She always wants to make sure everyone around her is happy and is great at being able to make those around her feel loved.