Page 34 - Mousy Mouse Has a Bad Day

Since they can never adequately compare, they use drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. For those who start using substances to modify their feelings, they must change this habit of thinking if they are to be able to maintain any hope of recovery.
Unfortunately, as with many habits maintained into adulthood, changing this irrational belief is difficult. Consequently, learning to accept ourselves and do our best without comparing ourselves to others is most effectively learned when we are young.
With this story and the worksheets, we have attempted to help children recognize the problems that can occur with this perfectionistic, comparison thinking. They are unable to enjoy and appreciate their successes or plan how to overcome their difficulties.
They are overly concerned with mistakes and failures and see things as catastrophic. They are unable to develop good coping strategies and stick with them. They are too easily influenced by others and too willing to do things against their better judgment to please others.
The topic of “comparison shopping” and overvaluing the opinions of others is at the core to self-acceptance. We should always try to do our best and never accept less. But that is far different than what you see with Mousy. The opinions of others and her own lack of perfection devastate her. She is unable to see how her irrational expectations (stinky thinking are causing her, her family and
friends discomfort.
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