In my humble opinion, saying "no" IS being respectful to others. It's treating others like adults who can handle responsibility and are aware that you have commitments and priorities of your own. It makes it clear that when you say "yes", they can trust that.
I definitely plead guilty to this although over the years I have realized that my DH is very opinionated much like his father and very much like my own father. I have a fear of confrontation and it's a huge fault of mine and the fact that I don't voice my viewpoint many times gnaws away at me on the inside which I know is damaging myself physically and mentally. I enjoy hearing the kids opinions on things as they've grown and matured. I don't always agree but it's interesting to see how their personalities and opinions have grown. DH is not much interested in hearing opinions other than his own on various topics and it has caused a wedge between them although he doesn't see that at all. How many times I've heard I just can't have an opinion around here-it's his view point or none.
I sometimes don't voice my opinion around here as somehow my opinion will get twisted around to something entirely different and off topic. That's not to say that my opinion is never heard around here. I know he values my opinions on many things but there are certain ones that I feel are better left to myself these days.
What happened at work this week really made me think about this. My one
Miss P
I think it is a woman thing, too.
"Make Choices that bring you joy" cl-Patty
"Make Choices that bring you joy" cl-Patty
I definitely plead guilty to this although over the years I have realized that my DH is very opinionated much like his father and very much like my own father. I have a fear of confrontation and it's a huge fault of mine and the fact that I don't voice my viewpoint many times gnaws away at me on the inside which I know is damaging myself physically and mentally. I enjoy hearing the kids opinions on things as they've grown and matured. I don't always agree but it's interesting to see how their personalities and opinions have grown. DH is not much interested in hearing opinions other than his own on various topics and it has caused a wedge between them although he doesn't see that at all. How many times I've heard I just can't have an opinion around here-it's his view point or none.
I sometimes don't voice my opinion around here as somehow my opinion will get twisted around to something entirely different and off topic. That's not to say that my opinion is never heard around here. I know he values my opinions on many things but there are certain ones that I feel are better left to myself these days.
I can say "no" nicely
You Were Born An Original... Don't Die A Copy