You know, I spend some time debating with people about important decisions I make for my family that aren't very popular, but I only do it when I feel like it. And I usually only do it if I feel like I want to hear different perspectives in order to check them against my own and see if they make more sense.
(I can accidentally rile people up this way when I open up topics for debate... I lost a fb friend the other day because she apparently didn't like my views on unschooling and homeschooling and didn't recognize that I was, very politely, simply debating with her and not attacking her or anyone else personally.)
Anyway, if I don't want other opinions, I just clearly let it be known that my decision is non-negotiable and that people are not welcome to offer their opinion. This works quite well.
(The only time it doesn't work is when I am still doubting myself. You have show you've made your choice and stand by it with conviction. They can totally smell self-doubt.)
So I just recommend being assertive when standing by your choice and then change the subject.
Also, when you act with conviction, people will start coming to you for advice on the very thing they might have tried to lecture you about before. It's interesting.
Last edited by islandofapples; 02/05/12 12:30 AM.
