I'm justified...

The other day I was grocery shopping at my local store for a last-minute need for dinner and I ran into a mom I know. She was carrying chips and Gatorade and said, “My sister is coming to visit and these are for the kids.” I didn’t ask why she had these items and to be honest, I didn’t care and yet she felt the need to tell me. Why do we need to justify ourselves? People will say “I ran 5 miles today, so I can have another slice of pizza for dinner” or “Mom, I’m playing video games because I already finished all my homework for today” or my personal least favorite, “I’m the parent and I said so.:” I prefer honesty. When my daughter comments negatively about what I am wearing, I usually respond, ‘Thanks, but I didn’t ask your opinion.” or “Thanks, but I like what I am wearing.” Now if my daughter is right, I’ll say “Thanks, you’re right. What do you recommend?” See honesty. Look if we all justify ourselves, we would live in a pretty “fake” world. The saying is “Honesty is the best policy.” If the mom had been buying the chips and Gatorade for herself because she had a bad day that would be ok with me. In fact, it would lead me to ask her if she wanted to talk about her bad day (it is usually the kids).

From an email I received...

“Yes- sometimes we can feel too entitled and other times doubt it- then we search for ways to justify or rationalize behavior.
So love and look forward to entries in Mali's log. Keep 'em coming (as if you could stop!)”
— Karen B.