C
CredoUnumDeum
Guest
My mother and I do not have a very close relationship. We get along better now than we used to, but I probably argue more with her than anybody else in my family.
One of the situations which has cropped up a lot lately has to do with politics. My mom is very very involved in politics, and believes very firmly in the importance of every individual’s vote, etc. I agree with her on all of that. The difference is that she is really ostentatious (not in a negative way, just for lack of a better word) about her political views and involvement, and I am not. I don’t hide my politics, but I don’t have a cheerleader personality, and I don’t feel the need to jump down the throats of people who have different views.
My mom tends to decide for me what I think and feel about politics or a given candidate etc, and tell me that that’s what I think or feel (for example, “I know you don’t care because…”), and her reason is generally “because I can just tell” or because I’m not as gung-ho outwardly as she is. She then gets angry and snippy with me because she has decided I dont care or am neglecting my moral duty to vote (I havent–I vote whenever I have the opportunity to do so!).
What is the correct response to these kinds of situations? I tend to defend myself and get irritated at her for telling me what I think, but I was wondering if it might be better for me to just keep my mouth shut and allow her to think whatever she thinks. I know that even if I defend myself, I need to be more charitable and calm.
One of the situations which has cropped up a lot lately has to do with politics. My mom is very very involved in politics, and believes very firmly in the importance of every individual’s vote, etc. I agree with her on all of that. The difference is that she is really ostentatious (not in a negative way, just for lack of a better word) about her political views and involvement, and I am not. I don’t hide my politics, but I don’t have a cheerleader personality, and I don’t feel the need to jump down the throats of people who have different views.
My mom tends to decide for me what I think and feel about politics or a given candidate etc, and tell me that that’s what I think or feel (for example, “I know you don’t care because…”), and her reason is generally “because I can just tell” or because I’m not as gung-ho outwardly as she is. She then gets angry and snippy with me because she has decided I dont care or am neglecting my moral duty to vote (I havent–I vote whenever I have the opportunity to do so!).
What is the correct response to these kinds of situations? I tend to defend myself and get irritated at her for telling me what I think, but I was wondering if it might be better for me to just keep my mouth shut and allow her to think whatever she thinks. I know that even if I defend myself, I need to be more charitable and calm.