If you feel good about who you are and how you treat people then this will come through in your interactions with others. Let's face it; when Great Grandma Dorothy sweeps the highest ledge in your kitchen with her finger and comes up with dust there isn't anything you can do or say to please her. You have to let her make her comments about young women today not using the "white glove test" like she did, and just nod your head and smile.

I was in the customer service service end of business for a long time. I have handled the worst and best of customers, sometimes all in one day. I also am a Mom, a sister, a daughter, and a daughter-in-law. I have learned several things over the years. You must remember to laugh. In the face of the worst situation you need a friend you can turn to and use your best sarcasm to vent about what is happening. They don't even need to give you advice most of the time, but they need to listen and laugh with you. One quick email or phone call can help you return to the situation ready to face it again.

The other thing I have learned, which I think is equally as important, is self control. Don't cry, yell, get mean or vent during the confrontation. Be confident, state what you feel and let the person show their true self. Then get hold of your friend later and vent those nasty feelings. Laugh until your side hurts. You can't please everyone. People will find fault with your site, your products, your housekeeping, your parenting and whatever else they can come up with. So what? What counts is that YOU know you are doing the best you can, and you feel good about yourself.

About the author

Brenda Hyde is a wife and Mom of three, a freelance writer, and editor of Seeds of Knowledge. For more messages of encouragement sign up for our weekly newsletter, A Mom's Heart by sending any email to amomsheart-subscribe@egroups.com