Archive for the ‘Dialogue’ Category
mothers and daughters
I think mothers and daughters have a natural tendency to antagonize each other.”
“Antagonize each other?! You know, you’re the only one who’s saying that. How do you come up with these realizations?”
“It’s just something I observed. I think there’s something in your voice that makes me react that way. There’s this…tone.”
“A tone. In my voice.”
“Yeah. Maybe I react so defensively because I feel like you’re always scolding me.”
“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way. I can’t help you with that. I certainly don’t mean to sound as if I’m always scolding you.”
“That’s what I’m saying. There’s just something that’s there. Can’t explain it. But it’s there. It’s okay. I’ll try not to be so impatient and defensive and remember you’re not scolding me.”
“But sometimes I am. You still need scolding.”
“I’m not used to it. And I think I always felt too old to be scolded.”
“That’s pride. Pride is what you call it.”
“Pride?!”
“For thinking you’re so smart. You’re not always right. You won’t always be right. Whenever I say something that’s against your opinion, you think you’re being scolded. You can’t stand being wrong.”
“It’s not pride. This has nothing to do with that. You don’t understand.”
“That’s exactly what I mean. It is pride. When you can’t accept what I’m saying, you tell me it’s all because I don’t understand you.”
“Ugh. Never mind, Mom. “
