Dear Bertha,
I tend to look for the positive things in life, but my mom is the exact opposite. It gets really frustrating to have her always point out the negative things, when I am trying to find the positive. Lately her pessimistic lifestyle is starting to rub off on me. What can I do to avoid becoming like her?
Sincerely,
Debbie Downer Daughter
Dear Debbie Downer Daughter,
The most important thing in life is to be true to yourself, and it’s good that you want to continue to do so. However, moms often have a large effect on the way their daughters act. Keep thinking positive the way you always have, and try to either ignore your mom’s negative comments, don’t focus on them, or find the positive in her negative ideas. If this doesn’t work, try sitting down and having a heart-to-heart with your mom about the situation. Let her know that the best thing for you is to be optimistic, and that her pessimism is getting you down. Make sure she knows that you love her, but her pessimism is not the best thing for you. Not telling your mom could increase the tension in your relationship. Whatever happens, stay true to your optimistic self, and don’t let your mom stray from her true self.
Sincerely,
Bertha
