In my job I do a lot of court stuff on behalf of kids, and advocate for kids rights in the special ed world. I am always being told Im such a great advocate for families/kids in my role and that I have a good mix of compassion and emotion and logic... Funny how I can do that no problem in work, but in my personal life I feel like I have to be a doormat OR I bottle it all up and then get overly emotional and crazy like I did yesterday with my texts to xAH...
Thanks SO much Lexie, (and everyone!). I would not have made it through today sanely without all of you!
Originally Posted by
LexieCat 
No, you do not sound insane. You sound like someone who has been subjected to a lot of abuse and made to feel like you're not entitled to insist on your rights.
Wisconsin is right. Imagine yourself in that power suit with that briefcase. Heck, imagine yourself as a GUY, if that helps. Women are socialized to be quiet and polite and deferential. Men (in general) have much less difficulty asking for a raise or insisting that shoddy work be redone, for instance.
Nobody is suggesting you behave like a jerk. It is perfectly possible to be persistent and determined, and at the same time well-mannered and dignified. It takes practice. I found it much easier as a lawyer to insist on things on behalf of my client (the State) than I did to demand things on my own behalf. I've gotten much, much better at it.
And you'll be a great role model for your kids, as well.