Tag Archives: opinions

Separate Opinions from Fact

Some people can be so convincing—there are those experts and strong-minded personalities who can state their own opinions and belief statements as though they are absolute fact. It can be confusing when you are trying to figure out what to do or are looking for solid, useful advice. It is important, however, to be able to discern what is a true fact (the earth revolves around the sun) from an opinion (all children should be toilet-trained by the age of 2). As single parents, many of us already need some good mentors and role models to help us see “how … Continue reading →

Help Them Trade Opinions, Not Insults

Telling other people what is what seems to come quite easily for children. I don’t know about yours, but my three have always been rather forthcoming with their opinions and ideas about things. Of course, they also have a tendency to be rather opinionated, intolerant of others’ opinions and downright rude at times when it comes to sharing their ideas so I have found that part of my job as parent is to help them learn how to express and claim their opinions without insulting others or telling them they are “dumb,” “stupid,” or worse… One thing I will ask … Continue reading →

Ask if They Want Your Opinion First

As my children have gotten older, and I have gotten older as well, one of the things I have learned is that unsolicited opinions seldom go over well. When our children are small, they don’t really have much say over whether we are telling them what to do or not (they still may not like it, however)—but as they get older, our unsolicited opinions and advice can come across as being more invasive or showing them that we neither trust or believe in them. Our kids build up resentment and we end up in a disagreement even though WE THINK … Continue reading →

Why I LOVE it When People Share Their Opinions

It seems to have become somewhat politically incorrect or unpopular for people to share their opinions about popular culture, politics, personal interests, etc. We all try to make sure that we are not being offensive or setting people off. But, as a business person, I actually LOVE it when people share their personal opinions and ideas about things—it gives me insight into who they really are and helps me figure out if my services are a good fit, as well as get some information as to how I can really interact with them. I guess you could say that I … Continue reading →

Why I Need to Hear From People Who Disagree with Me

It sure is great to converse with people who are “soul mates” or who are on the same page! When it comes to business issues, we can get pretty excited nodding our heads and patting ourselves on the back. But, I also need to hear from people who have different ideas and who may be coming at things from a very different perspective. It helps me to sharpen my own business skills and decision-making techniques, but it also helps me to expand my viewpoint and grow overall as a business person. We can learn a great deal from those people … Continue reading →

We Don’t Have to React to Our Kid’s Opinions

I currently live in a land of opinions and opinionated teenagers. If there is one thing you can say about teenagers it is that they are very open with their developing ideas and opinions on things. While my kids used to say things like “We think this, don’t we mom?” when they were pleasing little grade-schoolers, now they are much more likely to share opinions and ideas that are in complete opposition of my own opinions and belief systems. Sometimes, of course, they are trying to get a “rise” out of me, but other times they are just working out … Continue reading →

Money Belief Systems Affect Our Businesses

Money is neither good nor evil, it is simply a means to an end–a commodity–here in the real world. But, our emotional feelings and belief systems around money can have a very definite influence on how we manage our home-based businesses. I have been amazed how it doesn’t seem to matter how many “business books” and articles I read, or how many lists and skills I apply to my work–my belief systems around money and work are what REALLY influence and affect how I am able to progress with my small business. Taking time out to examine (and re-examine) my … Continue reading →

Tolerating Different Opinions and Values Within a Family

One of the things we try to do as parents is to impart our value systems on our children. Of course, they are individuals and tend to grow up and formulate their own opinions and ideas about the world—sometimes taking on our values, and sometimes coming up with some of their own. Many of you know that all of my children are currently teenagers and they are little opinion machines right now. Part of my world, as a parent to teens, is to learn how to and foster some tolerance around all of these differing opinions and ideas that are … Continue reading →