Category - relationships

1
Positively Positive…mostly
2
I’m Not A Drama Mama
3
Ruby the Catty Bunny
4
Yell At Your Own Kid, Not Mine
5
Dealing With Difficult People

Positively Positive…mostly

  Are you a glass half-empty or a glass half-full kind of person? My glass virtually spills over in the stellar family and friend department. Professional opportunities are plentiful and generally I want for nothing. Life is pretty damn good. So how pessimism, fear and negativity have crept into my thoughts is beyond me. I’ve been told that the trauma associated with parenting a child with medical issues takes a toll. I’ve also heard that switching from working outside the home, to working in the more solitary environment of home can change ones mindset. I also know that living more online can influence your perspective. Whatever the reason, I’ve noticed a few more glass half-empty days lately. And I don’t like it one bit. This chick likes her glass filled right up to the brim thank you very much. *clink* Maybe I’m one of those needies who craves drama? Perhaps I even create it for my own personal amusement. Didn’t Oprah do a show on that very topic? My nickname is “Fun Thornbury” for heaven’s sake but I haven’t exactly been living up to my name. I’ve decided that ziplining and hiking with the kids and Games Night and simple[…]

Read More

I’m Not A Drama Mama

You’d think a forty-two year old wife, mother of two, loyal friend and over-all wise (some days) woman would have it all figured out by now. Apparently not.  Which path to take? One that is familiar, but littered with the heavy expectations of others? Or another path, perhaps parallel or possibly divergent. It’s hard to know which way to go, but acknowledging that a new course is necessary is a damn good step. Don’t you just hate these cryptic posts?  You’re like, “What the hell is she going on about now?”  All the whiny sh*t people write, dancing around the issue, but never saying what they mean. It’s annoying. Just come out and state your dilemma! But what if they can’t? What if they aren’t sure how to go about it all. What if they are holding back in order to spare feelings? What if they… okay fine, I’m talking about me here. I’m not one to air my dirty laundry. Perhaps a lightly soiled garment, but never a muddy mess. And so I pause and reflect. Aaaaaaaand, reflection done. It’s time to make a few changes.  Tasks left unfinished, strained relationships left unresolved, commitments left unattended-to, promises left unfulfilled, drama and self-doubt[…]

Read More

Ruby the Catty Bunny

If you have young children you’ve likely been subjected to Max and Ruby. You’ve also obviously wondered, where their parent are. I always assumed they were killed trying to hop across the interstate.   *Update 2017—recent episodes of the show now include mom and dad rabbit! They hopped into the show after their mysterious five year absence. I’d love to know how creator Rosemary Wells feels about this rabbit resurrection. In past interviews she’s said, “We don’t see Max and Ruby’s parents because I believe that kids resolve their issues and conflicts differently when they’re on their own.” Maybe Wells is cool with this. Or perhaps this is the shows producers caving into PC pressures? Very curious… The other day as my daughter sat watching the show her older brother was nearby researching bird calls with his new Bird Watchers App. He’d been asking for it for months. I finally relented and now live in a constant state of, “Is that a bird in my house?! No, it’s just the app. Man that sounds real. Oh my god, maybe there IS a bird in my house?! ” While he was busy with his virtual flock, my daughter enjoyed her favourite[…]

Read More

Yell At Your Own Kid, Not Mine

  My “Karma Cleanse” is complete. For the most part I was able to avoid the gossip (pretty much) and negativity around me. But now that it’s over, may I just say… …. DON’T FRIGGING YELL AT MY KID!!! My head nearly exploded keeping that in last week.  I’m not a yeller. I’m more of a cool glance, slow and low toned speech kinda gal. When my kids are in trouble, they get the message loud and clear; no shouting required. This is how I choose to discipline. However, if you find raising your voice works, then go for it. But you yelling at my child (lady at the splash pad!) is not cool.  On the weekend our family went to a local park to enjoy the beautiful day and the cool misty water park. My son, a tall boy, was standing behind a shield you can turn, aim and fire water from at passersby. A smaller kid was actually controlling the shield and the water trigger. Like I said, my guy was merely standing behind it. I know this because I was watching from the distance. This is how I know my child did not squirt the blonde woman[…]

Read More

Dealing With Difficult People

Some people are just plain disagreeable. You know the type. They ooze negativity and criticism. Mall parking lots and grocery line-ups are littered with them. Obviously, we don’t know what others might have going on in their lives. Perhaps they are usually pleasant, but happen to be temporarily bitter for a legitimate reason. I’m not counting them. I’m talking about the crotchety ones who are nasty on a daily basis. It’s futile to try to avoid these toxic humans. They’ll find you. And when they do, they can turn your happy smile into a painful grimace in an instant…if you let them. My mom emailed me an article about dealing with difficult people.  I’ve included excerpts below, with comments. What did you just say? Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz,  Hamilton Spectator   They are your sneering coworkers, your prying neighbours, your insulting in-laws. They are the nasty people who make environments toxic. But you can beat them without joining them. How to deal with nasty people: See it for what it is. Rather than internalize the criticism or dwell on what you might have done to deserve the attack, recognize that the nasty person has personal issues. Dwelling is a hard habit to[…]

Read More

All images and text are copyright © 2020 Forever In Mom Genes