18 Comments
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Joe Conneely's avatar

Many of your examples prove the wider application of the military quote by Napoleon: "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."?

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Lisa Maniaci's avatar

#8 When you're driving with your teen and ask an open ended question about something critical. Just let them talk. There's no eye contact, no "under the microscope" stares, just conversation and driving. Sometimes you learn a lot about your kids if you just let them talk.

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Bill Murphy Jr.'s avatar

That is a very good idea. I drive my daughter (not yet a teen) to school every day and I love that I hear about things I would never hear otherwise from her. Thanks!

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dj l's avatar

I loved driving my kids to school. I learned a lot about what was going on. Then when we did car pooling it was learning in a different way, "over hearing" the talk amongst the talk of all the kids in the car

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Darrell's avatar

Does this look familiar?

“”I've checked out too. Ended my subscription - well, won't renew. Reason being: too biased. On Bill's part. And that attracts the left & left left & further left, & screamers. And the screamers scream louder 'cause then they think they win.

“I've found another substack that is appealing to both sides - it's by John Halpin, called The Liberal Patriot. I've been reading it for quite a while & what finally convinced me to become a subscriber was:

https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/citizenship-without-partisanship

MARVELOUS!!!””

— dj I

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dj l's avatar

Perhaps “someone” has convinced me that this substact needs diversity - not the echo chamber it’s become in the last several months. Otherwise Bill would lose subscribers.

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Darrell's avatar

Nice to know you have now decided to be looking out for Bill after so thoroughly trashing him last week.

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dj l's avatar

Darrell - you are definitely one who should learn when to keep your mouth closed—- often

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Darrell's avatar

I was confused and now simply quoting your words from only a week ago. Guess keeping mouths closed would be good for us both, even if it’s our fingers doing the talking?

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SPW's avatar

Oooh Darrell, can you handle that 😂.

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Darrell's avatar

Hah! You got me there! It will be a challenge and I may need (more) therapy. 🙉🙈🙊

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Chris DeJohn's avatar

How about if you have nothing to say.

I have been around many people that talk just to talk (sometimes I think they like to hear the sound of their invoice) and they will talk forever about everything and nothing.

I’ve always been brought up that if you don’t have anything to say or talk about…keep quiet. That way when you do say something, it will bring more emphasis and importance to your comments.

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Jay Graceffa's avatar

Silence is golden

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Darrell's avatar

Ask for advice on anything, even from your kids. They talk and you can be still. A peer and I had a mutual ongoing conflict many years ago. She did this and it immediately calmed our animosity. We’ve been friends ever since.

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dj l's avatar

something I just saw:

1. Be silent when someone is teaching you something new.

2. Be silent if you're about to criticize without a solution.

3. Be silent when your words might add fuel to rumors.

4. Be silent when your heart needs time to heal.

5. Be silent if speaking might disrupt a peaceful moment.

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Eric Jakimier's avatar

When they say “yes”, STOP TALKING.

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Patty McGlasson's avatar

my comment is - silence...

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Bill Murphy Jr.'s avatar

I was reminded of one. A long time ago my dad (a lawyer) went to court with me on a speeding ticket. I was dead to rights. But, he challenged the right things, and the judge asked if I'd ever had a speeding ticket in that state before. ("In *this* state? Um, no, not in *this* state ....") Case dismissed. I stood there kind of shocked, the cop on the other side objected, and my dad almost pulled me out, telling me: "Billy, when the decision goes your way, get the hell out of the courtroom."

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