I was just thinking the other day about social skills. Does anyone think that I was socially inept as a child, or even now? A week or so ago we were at a family function talking about a recent trip to downtown Pittsburgh. My mother shutters at the thought of the big city. Quite honestly, she put that fear in me long ago, but I have since grown out of it. Then Mom was talking about her being the youngest child and how she always had to fight for attention or something. I think that’s what starting this whole topic on my mind lately… the things we do or do not learn as children. It’s amazing how our childhood plays a part in our adult lives.
I remember being kind of a loner as a child. I was a middle child. When the younger children came along I think I felt just sort of forgotten. A couple of times I might have tried to vie for some attention, but alas I always felt overlooked or discounted. Maybe that is the root of my independence? Maybe it was because we lived way down over the hill in a rural area with neighborly friends not very close, thus limiting the usual interaction of children???
I didn’t reach out to befriend other children. I waited for them to approach me. Why is that? I’m still kind of like that. When I meet new people I’m not sure what to say right away. I usually wait for them to ask all the questions. My husband will sit on the porch and talk with the neighbors, but I’d rather not. I like my privacy. I would be happy living in Timbuktu where the neighbors are not so close. I don’t seek out social opportunities, but when K does talk me into it, I enjoy it. (just like visiting the city)
I was telling my lady friends this on Saturday and one of them said that the way I am makes me a very approachable person. Wow, that was quite a compliment. So maybe it’s not a bad thing after all? I do hope that if we ever have children that they are more socially balanced than I. (or at least better than I perceive myself to be)
No comments:
Post a Comment