Call it a fuddy duddy. Stick-in-the-mud (which by the way sounds better than being mud, doesn’t it?). A party pooper.
These are all society’s acceptable names that seem to be okay to call someone who does not give into peer pressure.
Guess what?
Your mommy is proud to have been called all of them.
Because sometimes, well sometimes, it’s important to stand up for something you believe in.
And people are going to feel threatened that you might not agree with their actions.
By you refusing to do an action with them, it calls into question their own morality.
People don’t like that.
But you should “stick to your guns anyway.”
This will probably lead them to result to name calling. Those words will hurt. Don’t think they won’t. But not as much as your soul will hurt if you go against it. The names they will call you may cut deeper than a “stick in the mud.” And as hard as this will be, you must ignore them.
When I was a child there was a nonsense little saying that went like this:
“Sticks and stones may break my bones,
But words will never hurt me.”
That saying is ridiculous. Words are the most powerful thing in the world.
You might also notice that in Mommy’s time people were kind of obsessed with sticks.
I can’t explain this.
There must have been more trees back then.
This probably explains the many leaf idioms, as well.
But even back then, people fought the word, “no.”
Maybe they never learned differently. Maybe they just want to make their own choices. And that is okay. As long as you get to, too.
Because you should respect the use of someone else using that word, too.
Otherwise, we might as well all be made of sticks and leaves. And even stones.
Being human is more than that.
At least, it should be.
If your friends or adversaries still will not understand your decision to not conform to their decision, well, I guess they “got the short end of the stick.”
Maybe you could, “Help them turn over a new leaf.”
If not, have more confidence than one can “shake a stick at.”
In today’s terms:
IOW, JTLYK, YOLO.
YKWYCD?
JSN!
ILY,
Mommy
Maybe the saying should end with words will never ‘break’ me. Great post, as always, Jenni. Sticking up to my boss regarding the awful words that were written that I told you about actually made him treat me better. So, sometimes there’s that. I hope and pray that whatever motivated this post passes quickly and without too many tears or sorrows. Love ya! Have a great weekend. Smooches. Brynne
Thanks Brynne. I am glad you stood up for yourself. I think with kids sometimes it is hard to have them speak for themselves. Even as adults, it is hard. I am glad you liked this post. I wrote it in response to something I feel strongly about! : )
Have a lovely Sunday!
Jenni
I love this post! I’m definitely sharing with my kids. Thank you!
Thank you Mechelle! I am glad you liked it! : )
Have a super Sunday!
Jenni
Reading these little posts is a bit like taking an online parenting class. Love this, and couldn’t agree more!
Thank you Gwen. I love writing my kids letters, it appears to sink in more than me lecturing! : )
Have a lovely week!
Jenni
Beautiful post. Your children are lucky to have you. I am sure these post will be invaluable to them when they are older. Very wise words.
Thank you Alicia. I hope so. I think one of my kids had an opportunity to use this advice awhile ago. And I am unsure of the outcome. Raising kids is so hard! So hard!
Have a delightful evening!
Jenni
Jenni, I just love, love, love this post, especially these lines:
“Because sometimes, well sometimes, it’s important to stand up for something you believe in.
And people are going to feel threatened that you might not agree with their actions.
By you refusing to do an action with them, it calls into question their own morality.
People don’t like that.
But you should “stick to your guns anyway.”
They are just so spot on. I will be sure to show this to my daughter, to reinforce what I’ve always told her at home. Raising kids feels like a battle with the world sometimes, doesn’t it?
Thank you Michelle. Yes, raising kids does feel like a battle. And often it is a perceived battle between the parents and child. It is hard when a child thinks they know what is best when they do not. Yet. Eventually I hope both my children know much, much more than me. Until then, I can only try to teach them what I feel is important. But gosh. It is hard.
Thank you so much! I appreciate it.
Have a wonderful week!
Jenni
well said. My kids are still young but they are growing up (too) fast! Thanks for the reminder and great advice.
Thanks Jessica. They really do grow up so fast. Although, I just had to remind mine two minutes ago no balls in the house! So, they still have a ways to go. : )
I hope your week is lovely!
Jenni