Framily vs. Strangers

I started this blog as a platform to voice my opinion and the opinions of fellow mothers. I did gain a huge supporter within my own home, my husband. After my last post, he suggested a post I should write and share. After discussing with my sister and some friends, they thought it would be a great topic. My behavior towards my friends and family, framily, can be quite different than my behavior to a complete stranger. Now, mind you, this is not an always situation, but after thinking about it and remembering certain situations, I have to agree.

I have my own opinion of this behavior, but it is not in any way scientific. We tend to take those close to us for granted. I can be in the worst mood, just have snapped at my husband, then a stranger walks up, and my mood and demeanor is as sweet and kind as I can be. If that is not bad enough, as soon as that stranger walks away, I can fall right back in to the witchy attitude I was in prior. Why do this? Well, I have read that we are so consumed by wanting to make a great first impression, and then there is the outward appearances we want to portray. Is this not totally unfair or what?

I have looked within myself and do see how I could change this. I need to, I should. I think that I do this simply because I feel my family and friends forgive me quickly, I have gotten away with doing it, I have allowed myself to excuse the behavior because they have never left me. They love me, so they can't right? Oh, but they could. It would be so easy for either one of them to look at me and say, forget you. Call me when you respect me enough to treat me as good as you do a complete stranger. Grow up Judy!

They have every right to do this, but I am lucky enough that they haven't. I have trained myself to think before I speak. Yes, training is such an archaic word, but I have to crawl before I walk.  I wish I could say this happens every time, but I have put forth an effort to stop and think how is what I am about to say going to be received? If I said this, would this person have the right to say goodbye? I do not want to hurt the people that I love most dearly in this world in such a way. These are the people that are supporting and believing in me. You are going to argue and disagree in life, this is not a perfect world. We are not Stepford wives. Well, I am not, and I am pretty sure you are not either. I just feel that if I actually live the life I attempt to portray, then what harm could that cause? Happiness.