We never stop needing and wanting that approval, do we? Your mother's negative reinforcement cracks me up. And it reminds me of my mother, although mine was essentially afraid of "spoiling" her children so never offered praise of any kind.

Your coding experience also really reminds me of my experience with writing — creating something from that blank blank page. It may not be good at first, but we build the bones, and then the rest can be added in iterations of inspiration and gritted teeth.

I loved this post. No matter what creators and coders choose to create, we can all relate to that desire to make something out of nothing, and to give it life.