Being too Submissive

"You're too passive. Too submissive," Sarah answers.

"What? No, I'm not," Erica replies offended.

"Yes, you are, Sweetie," Sarah says gently. "Erica, you are a sweet and kindhearted soul. You care about making people happy and comfort, which is a good thing. But that also means you don't know how to say no. How to stand up against what makes you uncomfortable. This allows people like your 'friends' to take advantage of you and put you humiliating situation.

Erica ponders on what her mom is saying. It's true she is a bit a people pleaser and isn't the most assertive person, but she wouldn't go as far as to say that she is submissive. She just doesn't like starting conflict. Having her mom suggest that the root of her embarrassing problems is her supposed submissiveness is insult. It sounds like that she is telling her that it is all her fault.

" Look, Mom. I may not be an aggressive or overly assertive person, but I'm not submissive. That is not my problem," Erica states, with her hands on her hips.