This is something I think about a bit, as I am a person that needs very little external validation. In work if I think I have done what is required of me then I feel that I have done a good job and that is all I need ie. I don't need thanks or praise. In being a woman, I don't think that how I look or my body makes me who I am, so I am not influenced by media or marketing. In parenting choices I feel confident in the choices I have made however when DD does not behave the way I would like her to, then I do question myself.
But I don't know how I became like this ie. I can't remember any particular parenting techniques used by my mum and dad. I know they were supportive and encouraged independence and us siblings were never compared with each other or other people. They are in their 70's now and I remember mum had a copy of Dr Spock (not the Star Trek guy!) so maybe they were progressive. I would love to know what made me the way I am so I could give some of it to DD!
eta: having thought about this a bit more, I wanted to say I do get heaps of validation from BB. Just by reading posts and thinking "oh that is what I do" or "that sounds like me". I think that even though i say I don't need it, I probably do, as I suspect that is why I still hang around BB even though I don't post much as many of the life valued I hold, are alot like those of many people here.
