7 Ways Being Told You Were Bossy As A Kid Makes You A Better Mom

If you are anything like me (or my daughter, for that matter) when you were a kid, you told your parents and fiends and family members where to sit and where to go and what to do. My parents had to teach me that other people are capable of making their own decisions, especially when I started to organize activities with my peers in school and clubs and other organizations. My need to set a schedule and have other people follow it, while mildly annoying to some, helped me become a great leader. I learned that my bossiness could be a positive thing if I utilized it appropriately.

When you are a new mom (of any age), you may not always feel like you are the most qualified person to be saying "we need to do this" or "we need to do that," but I can assure you you are. You may not be completely sure of what you should or should not do, or even how to do the things you want to do, and that can be debilitating. You seriously start to over analyze everything, and certain people will take advantage of your fear and self-doubt.

If you were one of those people that was labeled "bossy" as a child, you most likely won't let your lack of experience deter you from trying. You will take advice from others gracefully, while respectfully explaining why it is dismissed when you realize that what worked for someone else won't work for you. You won't let yourself be walked over, ignored and unheard. In fact, according to Fortune, if you look strictly at characteristics and ignore the sex of any one person exhibiting traits associated with "bossiness," someone who exhibits "bossiness without rudeness" is often seen as powerful and decisive. Be the powerful, decisive woman you know you are.

When you're used to being called "bossy," don't let others tell you you are parenting incorrectly or you're "wrong" for doing something that is beneficial for you and your family. While being assertive without being rude is more about you being heard, not taking anything from anyone is more about you ignoring the rude and inappropriate comments of everyone else. Trust me, it's easier said than done, but so vital if you're going to remain mentally healthy as a parent.

Yes, of course, there are times when there's merit to what other people say or think and you should listen to what other people say about your parenting and/or your kid. However, no one should ever be forced to endure rude comments or judgement or shame, towards either themselves or their child, just because someone doesn't agree with their personal parenting style. .

As a mom, it is important that your child realizes you're capable of standing firm in your beliefs, in parenthood and every other aspect of your life. This shows your child that you don't have to let others order you around and that you should always be confident in your desires and knowledge and capabilities. If your child sees your partner walking all over you, he/she will think it is OK to either do that to their future partner or for their future partner to do that to them. If your child sees you being bossed around by a family member or a friend, he/she may think it's totally normal to do the same to their future siblings, other family members, his/her friends, or even you or your partner. This fosters rudeness rather than assertive confidence. Don't teach your child how to be rude, even if it's on accident. Stand firm in what you believe, instead.

If you were bossy as a child, you most likely learned how to be and remain confident and assertive. I, personally, have learned that if you live your life confidently, your confident will shine through in every aspect and facet of your life, even the smaller ones. You will stand up straighter. You will hold your head up a little higher. Your voice will be a little steadier and more firm. I can't tell you how helpful all of the above are, when you're parenting.

When you're unwavering, your kid will (probably, at least the majority of the time, maybe) be more likely to hear you and actually pay attention to you and eventually listen to you. Sometimes, all it takes is a strong tone of voice. Of course, this doesn't mean your kid is going to listen to you all the freakin' time. After all, he or she is a kid and they're going to question your authority from time-to-time (or regularly). However, when you're confident and assertive they'll see you as a source of stability and, well, learn that listening to you is best.

Sure, confidence is something you can learn and gain throughout the years and even practice, but I firmly believe having a natural tendency towards confidence begins with being "bossy" as a kid. After all, that is when you learn that you can be assertive. That is when you learn that people will listen to you and that you, too, have a voice that matters. That is when you discover what a difference you can make by inserting your opinion. That is when you learn confidence.

It can be so difficult to remain confident in your choices when you're a parent and you're acutely aware that your choices affect someone else. If you're used to being confident because you've been labeled as "bossy" your entire life, those touch decisions will be just a little bit easier to make.

Turns out, one of the best ways to help your child learn about good character and appropriate behavior is leading by example. If you act confident and assertive in an appropriate way, your child will also learn how to do so as he/she gets older. In the end, what you say to your kid will pale in comparison to how you act around them. If you show them that being "bossy" isn't bad, your kids, regardless of their gender, will grow up confident and assertive and with an innate belief in themselves. That's priceless.