Monday, August 17, 2009

Incredible inschmedible...


So I had the "great" idea to read this book together with my boys in order to help them develop a healthy self-esteem. It's a great little book about 10 ways to "let your greatness shine through". At the end of the book are 10 questions that are meant to open up discussion... so I decided that we'd take one question a day and discuss it over breakfast, then think about it during the day, and then follow up about it at dinner.

Well, this morning's question was: If someone or something makes you feel sad, embarrassed, or angry, what do you do to make yourself feel better?


The goal of this question is to teach the importance of taking care of ourselves, and learning to let go of the hurt because we can't control what others say or do. Right?


Well, here is my dilemma... I STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO THIS SO HOW ON EARTH AM I SUPPOSED TO HELP MY KIDS LEARN? I still get hurt by things my "friends" say or do, or don't say or don't do... I have a hard time keeping good, close friends... I'm convinced that Jeff is the only person on earth who loves me in spite of my craziness and can tolerate me no matter what mood I'm in. I have many folks who I think are friends, but then I realize these relationships are one-sided and feel like I'm imagining that I have friends (does that make sense?).

Anyway, what's the lesson I'm supposed to share with my boys tonight at dinner?

4 comments:

Stacey said...

That question is definately a tough one-I am trying to answer it myself. I think I don't do anything-I just wait until I am over it. good or bad ... I don't know. Of course if it is Kyle then I let him have it :)

Lynsie said...

Wow you are the second person today that has written about friends, when I have been feeling pretty crappy about mine.

I am in the same situation as you (not with kids, with my own dilemmas) I am the same way, think I have these great friends, then BAM realize its one way. Alan always has to counsel me on this subject and make me realize I don't need them if they are like this. But truth is I miss having friends and going out, but I have 2 great kids and a family I want to spend time with. My so-called friends have kids, but they still go out twice a weekend and act like they don't have a family. Not friends I want, so why do I still get jealous and feel left out, and wish that they missed me, when they don't?

Sorry to vent on your blog, but I really needed to get that off my chest... :)

Good luck tonight at dinner! And in answer to your question, I would tell my kids to ignore it when others make you feel that way. Find something you love about yourself and say to yourself "I am great... I can do .....I have great hair, brain, etc.
Something I should do myself but find a hard time doing so.

Shane and Geana said...

I have always been a believer in if you have 1 or 2 close friends, that is the best thing for anyone. You have Jeff to vent to, that is the greatest gift of all. He listens, doesnt have the female atttitue about situations, and tries to understand. I suppose that is probably why we marry men :) As for the question I am with the others that you just wait until you are over it. Vent to someone who you love and are close to, but it will pass and the anger or hurt will go away. If it is really bad, then maybe ask that person why they did the hurtful thing--but that is really tough.

I love that you choose that book especially when they are starting school and realizing other kids aren't always that nice. Your amazing, once again.

Kellybee said...

I love Dr. Wayne! He is on Ellen quite a bit, and he always has great little bits of info to think about! You know, that's tough...we've talked about this before....I feel like my old friends and I have grown in different directions, and I haven't met any people in my area that I relate to at all. It's really hard because I do feel lonely sometimes. I guess that's why I love my family so much. You guys are my friends and you get me! Just be honest with your boys...tell them that this is a hard one for you too, and maybe you can all work on it together. Kids need to know that even parents struggle sometimes and that no one is perfect! Love ya!