The biggest frustration I have with difficult children (any - not just mine) is the illogical reasoning and flat-out lies. It's everything I can do to stop from grabbing them by the shoulders and shaking some sense into them and asking "What the H are you talking about?!?!?!"
This has been one of the things the therapist has been working with me on...getting me to stop trying to reason...and just say something vaguely encouraging...such as "Oh? That sounds nice"...or..."Oh? I hope that works out for you."
For example - difficult child's summer plans include getting a job. OK-great! husband has been encouraging this all along. He was giving her some tips on where to apply (there's TONS of fast-food places around here) and who would be a good reference for her
but difficult child interuppts him to explain that she is going to TRY to get a job....but, ya know, the economy is soooo bad that there's really no way to ACTUALLY get one.
We've also been trying to encourage difficult child to do better in school....but she's perfectly content with her D average. She says it's not a problem because she is joining the military after highschool so her grades don't matter. OK - whatever.
The she comes home from school on Friday with a new plan...
She is going to get the military scholarship and go to a top school FIRST - and THEN join the military after she gets her degree.
Ummm - what? How are you going to qualify for this scholarship?
Well, difficult child assures us that her grades don't matter one bit!
and besides
it's the ONLY way to even get into the military these days.
Oh? Is that right?
Yes - difficult child just found out...
The military is FULL.
They are no longer acepting any recruits.
Be very proud of me! I bit my tongue VERY hard and I did NOT shake her one bit!
LOL!
This has been one of the things the therapist has been working with me on...getting me to stop trying to reason...and just say something vaguely encouraging...such as "Oh? That sounds nice"...or..."Oh? I hope that works out for you."
For example - difficult child's summer plans include getting a job. OK-great! husband has been encouraging this all along. He was giving her some tips on where to apply (there's TONS of fast-food places around here) and who would be a good reference for her
but difficult child interuppts him to explain that she is going to TRY to get a job....but, ya know, the economy is soooo bad that there's really no way to ACTUALLY get one.
We've also been trying to encourage difficult child to do better in school....but she's perfectly content with her D average. She says it's not a problem because she is joining the military after highschool so her grades don't matter. OK - whatever.
The she comes home from school on Friday with a new plan...
She is going to get the military scholarship and go to a top school FIRST - and THEN join the military after she gets her degree.
Ummm - what? How are you going to qualify for this scholarship?
Well, difficult child assures us that her grades don't matter one bit!
and besides
it's the ONLY way to even get into the military these days.
Oh? Is that right?
Yes - difficult child just found out...
The military is FULL.
They are no longer acepting any recruits.
Be very proud of me! I bit my tongue VERY hard and I did NOT shake her one bit!
LOL!