Like Mother, Like Daughter? I think not.

Fun fact about me, I’m adopted (if this triggers any questions/comments, feel free to ask! I have nothing to hide), which automatically means I have a high chance of being nothing like my mom. Ironically, however, there are certain things that my mom and I have in common, we’re both short, my mom graduated from college with an English major and I will too in the spring of 2017.

I’ve mulled over this topic for an article for awhile because originally it felt like something that I shouldn’t say, and if I did it would be betraying my mom in a strange way. But, recently I’ve come to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter. Regardless of the fact that she is my mom, we are two totally different people. Also, my mom will probably never see this, and if she does, I am merely stating my opinion, which I will defend without a doubt. So, without further ado, here are four reasons why I will never be my mom (which is totally fine with me).

1. I’m not self-righteous.

My mom has a way of judging topics of debate, or any trivial topic, based on her own opinions. Whether you agree with her or not, it doesn’t matter. She’ll make sure she reinstates her opinion multiple times throughout the conversation, and had no problem disagreeing with you outright. This drives me crazy.

2. I’m not assertive, it’s just not me.

I’m a Type B at heart and there’s not a whole lot I can do about it. Yes, there have been times when I needed to be assertive, but I could handle it. To my mom, I’ll be assertive when I choose to be, and telling me to be assertive won’t make me more assertive.

3. I’m not intimidating (to my knowledge).

Whenever I describe my mom, intimidating is always included. I certainly don’t think I am (if I am, no one’s told me). I don’t ooze scariness or have a FEAR ME sign on my forehead. I’m actually quite the opposite, quiet, shy, and socially awkward.

4. I’m not discouraging.

This one pisses me off the most. Throughout the entirety of my educational career, there were too many times when my mom was more focused on what I was bad at than what I was good at or improving in. Today, my sister was working on some ACT practice tests and before she started each section she would remind my sisrer which sections she was terrible at. There is a fine line between tough love and discouraging, and she definitely crossed to the bad side.