http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/02/08/check-with-me-first/ By Meryl Runion and SpeakStrong, Inc. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:44:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/02/08/check-with-me-first/#comment-1036 Jacquie Thu, 08 Mar 2007 21:46:47 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/02/08/check-with-me-first/#comment-1036 Kathleen: I LOVE the solution to this! Thanks so much for the chuckle AND the PRO-active solution! Kathleen: I LOVE the solution to this! Thanks so much for the chuckle AND the PRO-active solution!

]]> http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/02/08/check-with-me-first/#comment-1031 merylrunion Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:23:46 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/02/08/check-with-me-first/#comment-1031 Funny story! Thanks! Funny story! Thanks!

]]> http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/02/08/check-with-me-first/#comment-1026 Kathleen Sat, 03 Mar 2007 14:30:33 +0000 http://www.speakstrong.com/newsletter/2007/02/08/check-with-me-first/#comment-1026 This exchange made me think fondly of my inlaws. My mother-in-law was a great cook. My father-in-law was a great partier. The combo worked well whenever they decided to entertain. But in later years, when my mother-in-law's resources were a little stretched, my father-in-law's impromptu invitations were not as easy for my mother-in-law to handle. She tried to get him to change, but the pattern was too ingrained I guess. She "helped" him change by starting to volunteer him to help anyone and everyone who expressed a need in their presence. "Oh, John will be happy to help you with that! What day to you need him?" In truth, my father-in-law usually was most willing to help, but he began to see the awkwardness that could occur when he already had other plans - like watching a game on television, or fishing with his grandson. He did start checking with her first before issuing invitations! This exchange made me think fondly of my inlaws. My mother-in-law was a great cook. My father-in-law was a great partier. The combo worked well whenever they decided to entertain. But in later years, when my mother-in-law’s resources were a little stretched, my father-in-law’s impromptu invitations were not as easy for my mother-in-law to handle. She tried to get him to change, but the pattern was too ingrained I guess. She “helped” him change by starting to volunteer him to help anyone and everyone who expressed a need in their presence. “Oh, John will be happy to help you with that! What day to you need him?” In truth, my father-in-law usually was most willing to help, but he began to see the awkwardness that could occur when he already had other plans - like watching a game on television, or fishing with his grandson. He did start checking with her first before issuing invitations!

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