I've lost my nerve  

I was a mouthy lil one when i was a teenager, but like you.. i have lost my nerve, now i'm a little sissy!! haha mostly i think i dont want to teach my kids that its okay to behave that way, because i'm a firm believer in actions speak louder then words! they will do as you do instead of do as you say in almost any instance!

I think it's because we're growing up (more than we used to be) that we learn to be patient and hold back our anger. Time also teach us to think first instead of jumping and shouting with fury. I used to punch a boy for calling me names but now, I do hold back and take a deep breath.

Since you mention it, I noticed that I learn to keep my mouth shut too. I guess we're getting wiser right? (actually I meant to say older but...)

Actually I don't think I've ever had that kind of nerve lol. My parents are really laid back so that is how I became. If it is something that I really need to stand up for then I usually can, but for the most part I avoid confrontation. If it is with someone I know then I will speak up. I only remember flipping on one person. It was my exboyfriend's mother. She was a nasty drunk and she must have been bi-polar because at one minute she was sweet, the next she was screaming at you. She called me after we had broke up and told me to leave her son alone, he had moved out to california to start a new life. I flipped because he was calling me, not me calling him. I swore and yelled and boy did it feel good. I was raised to not talk back to adults so while we were together I basically put up with all her bull. It felt so good to unload on her. She was shocked but I never heard from her again lol.

Oh I keep my mouth shut all the time when I should have spoken up. And then I kick myself in the butt afterwards...

Maybe you should put a sign on your porch?

I think I have also backed off....or maybe more correctly I have learned to chose my battles....if it were something important or life threatening then I would step up.....but on lesser things with less importance I find I let it go....

My mother was the same way when I was a kid. And for that reason, I havae always hated any kind of confrontation, until now. lol. I'm actually more verbal now, not in a rude way, or yelling about it. But with the kids especially, I am no pushover.
I don't usually confront people I don't know but I might say something if I know them. Earlier this summer, I had to go to the neighbor's house because their daughter said some mean things to my daughter. Thankfully, she agreed and the other mother grounded her but it wouldn't have been pretty if she did nothing.
anyway, just goes to show that circumstances and our past lives form our personalities, for the good and the bad!

i think i speak and i too lose my nerve when i see something is going wrong around me. i think my actions speak louder than my words, many people would think that we should stop speaking while your angry on something but there are something's in life that you cannot be polite and you have to take actions.

Hi Kat. I do not think it is that you have lost your nerve. I think it is because (unlike many people) you have matured and see life differently now that you are a bit older and a mother. You do not want to teach your children that yelling and screaming is the only way to resolve an issue. Because now you know that it isn't. So you are setting good example for your children as they are watching you on how you solve conflicts that we meet in life.

Your behaviour was learned from your mother but now you have started to go on to a new and better path. I think that you are fantastic and a great mother to your children. Your chilkdren are learning from you now.Blessings

I have the opposite problem somewhat THough I'm still not too apparent about it but I'll tell any perfect stranger off. I don't give a rat's patootie, they tick me off they are going to hear about it. Weather or not I say it directly to their face. I've been stepped on as a kid and decided especially during the time I've been home with my kids that unless you are my employer I'm going to speak my mind if I feel it. Like when the kids act up in the store, I always tell them keep it up... your showing all the people in the store how naughty you are to your mom.
But if it's family or friends have upset me I just avoid them.

Are those kids literally on your porch? I would maybe in a round about way ask the bus company or school if the stop can be moved that the kids are on your property and disrupting your household. Let the property manager be the bus stop! *LOL*

Well, I've never been one for telling people off. Actually, I'm quite the opposite from you. I"ve become more outspoken over the years. The hardest to learn is how to voice your opposition in a way that is effective and without losing your cool....not an easy thing to do. Saying what you need to say in a soft, calm but very firm voice is so much more effective. Beyond that....ya...there are tons of things that I did in my youth that I would never dare to do now.