Being different...

[lwlynch]

Must have too much time on my hands.
A friend of mine said to me, " You are so different from other people I have met." Now either she was buttering me up to do something for her or she might have really meant it. I find all the time that I have a totally different view on lots and lots of things. Am I striving to be different and should I try not to be different. Maybe things would be easier, if I conformed to the general opinion of things. Maybe I am too confrontational. I just usually try to live by the rules of respect, love and a time for everything.
I am not one of those moms that makes my kids do a million things, yet I am supportive...
I believe yes, that kids will be kids, but they do need to know how to behave in public and when they are alone.
I guess maybe I am getting to old and these built in values I have are outdated.. Am I creating old kids(?)
My kids both have plans to do stuff with their lives. They both are learning about money, saving, thrifting. And yet the world around us, is not. Three fourths of the people I know run to the fast food places, and spend money on dispensable groceries of no substance. And in the process, complain they have no money.
The other half of people have children who have cell phones, belly button rings, and all the things to do.. Mine have cell phones, yet use them conservatily. And just seem to be more focused.
I raised my kids to touch, taste, smell and experience everything. I try all kinds of new things with them. I feel that I round them out for a wonderful new world...
Maybe I don't know what I was trying to write.. must be too much pent up energy and needed to vent.. thanks for listening and just ignore if it is too crazy....
lol

[savvymom]

I think different is good! You can only do what works for you and your family, and understand that others do what they feel works for them. No one is right or wrong necessarily, but I like your outlook.

I'm not as good with some of the things mentioned as you are, but I'm learning to be better.

[mombottoo]

Sounds like you are down to earth to me and being down to earth is a good thing. We still don't have cell phones and it drives our friends/family crazy...personally I don't understand why anyone would want a phone attached to them 24/7 in the first place, but hey that's just me.

[Dancing Lotus]

Your kind of different is the good kind.

Mine won't have bellybutton rings or cell phones.They can have a cell phone when they can pay for it. Heck I am 30 and don't have one.

If your raising "old" kids then I want mine to play with yours cause I don't like the way "new' kids are being raised.

[Its_Donna]

I am VERY much like you and share lots of your ideas. I think we are on the right path and our kids are too.

[perSue]

it's not that you're different....

we're just in the minority... so we don't "run into" each other as often as the "mainstream".

kudos for playing yer own drum!

[Vannie]

It sounds like you are different in a good old fashioned way and that's a good thing.

Trust me, your children will so appreciate this when they are older and on their own. If you already have kids out and grown up, ask them how they feel now, I am sure you would love the answer.

[cab54]

Bah!! Everybody's different, you're just a different she hadn't met till recently.

Personally, when I read your posts (which I missed a lot this summer) I think "Now there's a nice down to earth woman I'd like to know, if it were possible in IRL."

Take it as a compliment. She probably meant it that way!

[mn30]

My brother's been calling me 'different' for years now And I'm proud of it!

[frugalandsimple]

I'll join the club. I also feel different from everyone around me. I just have my own set of beliefs and values which I follow and stand up for what I believe in. I'm very much a homebody, always have been even in my teenage years. I never found the point of spending money on something that I felt was a waste.

[rachelj]

I feel different a lot of the time, too. I believe that I think/analyze things differently than most people. I realize that I think and talk too much about money with people who do not understand at all. I am wanting to work on that - not only not thinking about the cost of every little thing (to the point that the joy is gone), but also talking about it with people who are on the same page. While I don't mind being different it is the rude comments that get to me, KWIM?

[WV_mom_of2]

I'm alot like you. My kids don't have most of the things that other kids have, don't play sports, etc. We spend our time as a family. My kids do chores and there will be no piercings other than my dd's ears until they move out of my house! They aren't allowed to have video games, tv, or computers in their rooms. They don't have cell phones either. On long field trips I allow them to take mine.

My kids are healthy, respectful and great students. They volunteer their time, ds holds doors open for women, etc. I get tons of compliments on them and it leads me to believe that I'm doing a good job even if I'm not with the "in" crowd on parenting!

I've always felt old....don't remember ever feeling like a kid, etc. In high school I didn't drink or smoke, didn't party or have sex,etc. At 38 I've never been drunk or tried drugs. I'm just downright "weird" to most people I know LOL. But I could care less!

[Frugal Nurse]

UNCONVENTIONAL!!!
I love it!!


Different is good. Live the live you love.
We all want to be different.
You've made an impression on your friend. A positive one- don't worry.
In my early young (darnit!) years when I first started out - I had a friend like you (still do). I noticed her difference - and I liked it. I took notes. I eminated her. So.. you never know what impression you'll make.

Good job! Ms. Different!!

[IntlMom]

Different is great! It better be anyway, cause I'm right there with you. All that you mentioned, AND my children would NEVER dare to call an adult by their first name....that would never be allowed in our house.....so, yea, I get called different and old fashioned too!!

[missyali]

Are you my long-lost twin?!?!?!?! I, too, have missed you this summer and I feel the same (or is it different?!!?) about how I am raising my kids. I am totally okay with the fact that my kids are a little different than most (meaning: considerate of others, can think through decisions, have priorities other than self and STUFF) We need more people, I think, who are happy with "the old ways".