Posted by admin on January 29th, 2010 in Communication, Humor

Sometimes when I “talk” to my kids my voice and words turn into something else.  It’s kind of like a little gremlin crawls inside of my throat and turns on the switch that says Lecture Mode. Why is that?  I don’t like to be lectured and I certainly didn’t like to be lectured when I was a teenager.  I’ve been thinking a lot about this recently because I’m trying to break the habit.  It’s a hard habit to break.  After all, gremlins have to live somewhere.

For me, the lecturing is rooted in the lack of response from the target of my “discussion”.  It’s a stretch to call some talks a discussion but I have to start there.  OK, so a topic arises and I want to share my valuable, hard-earned insight and I want to know they’ve HEARD ME. Frustration bubbles up because I’m getting NO eye contact or response of any kind.  The gremlin flips the switch.  Believe me, I am  conscious when it happens but I fail to stop.  Why??  Like every other mother we are waiting for the words, “Ok.  I understand”  or “You’re right Mama. (insert: eye roll) Gosh, I never thought of that.”   Would it be so hard for them to ingratiate themselves just a little bit?

I think you all know the answer.