What is wrong with me
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Anonymous
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I was a child who had a difficult time fitting in socially. I spent so much time desperately wanting and trying to figure out how I could be more like the other kids, but I was a mixed race child and always was ready for that inevitable question from the other kids: "What ARE you?" Went to a prep high school which was tough, because it was about 99.99% white/upper class. The student parking lot was full of jeep wranglers and BMWs, and there was my 1983 Honda Civic. I always knew that socioeconomic status was a factor as well, but it wasn't until I was an adult that I realized the impact of race on my childhood. I don't think I was ever discriminated against (in fact I'm sure I got the scholarship to that prep school because of my "mixed race" status), but I now see the subtle ways in which being different impacted me. It's almost as if I wasn't intellectually mature enough to handle being "different"--but how many kids are? And it's not like you can turn that sort of "different" off/on.
Race and socioeconomic status are just two potential underlying factors that may subtlety contribute to a socially awkward childhood. Don't discount them. And at the same time, we cannot turn it into contempt for the non-minorities out there. Instead, I feel it's important to teach children acceptance and appreciation for those things that make us different. Non- minorities will be enriched by the presence of diversity, and minoritues will feel empowered, valued; we all win! |
Anonymous
| You were a bit socially awkward, no big deal. Didn't pick up on social clues, eh... It was sweet how you didn't want to worry your mom! |
Anonymous
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As a kid I was always jealous of people who had lots of cousins and a big family, because for me it was pretty just my immediate family. At one point I carried around one of those stock pictures they put in pictures frames and told people they were my aunt and cousins.
I asked out a boy a second time in the 7th grade after he quite gently told me he'd just rather be friends the first time In 5th grade (I think! Hard to remember), because my mom refused to tell me there wasn't a Santa Claus, I bet someone a cookie from the cafeteria (the big soft ones) that I could take a picture of him. I took dance classes growing up and would full-out leap and turn in Toys R Us to try to get attention OP I was an awkward kid, and didn't really feel accepted by my parents and have a lot of insecurities now, but these just make me cringe looking back. |
Anonymous
| I'm the immediate PP with the cousins story - I mean only cringe, not feel much else |
jjconcern
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| You are the opposite of a sociopath as you care and want others to like you rather than being indifferent to others. You also have a lot of "spunk " or courage as demonstrated by attending a choral practice that you didn't make in hopes you could still be a part of it. We are all a little weird, some just cover it up a little better. If you are serious about wanting to make friends other than husband you might find a group with like interests since it is much easier to connect with others who have passion for the same hobbies or interests. I found as an older person moving to a new state that Bible studies were a fun safe place to connect with other women. Or gardening, painting, animals, etc. Good luck and hugs to you! |
Anonymous
| I think if you're friends with your husband, you're doing really well, OP. I am finding that being friends with my husband is the hardest relationship challenge of all. |