One statistic I don't plan to be part of!

I have always found it amusing how people take in their first impressions of me. By appearance, I look much younger than I actually am. The oldest guess so far being 27, almost 10 years off.

Its difficult at times to be taken seriously. For instance ,when I tell people I've worked with children for 20 years, I'm often questioned at length. To those folks who believe I am only 27, it is physically impossible for me to have had much of anything for 20 years.

Recently , I was doing some research for a consult I was asked about. I had gone to the library , and took up residence in the reference department for the day. I had noticed the collection of references didn't have any of the psychology journals or publications i was hoping to find. The librarian was a great help, showing me how to look up those articles in the online system they now use. I was something like a child left alone in a candy store.

Realizing I had limited time for my research, I ditched the online search, for a leisurely browsing on my home time. From there I explored the psychology encyclopedias and texts.

Of course ,I needed to have page copies made, and approached the desk with book 1, and a list of about 4 pages to copy.
The woman at the desk ( there were two) glanced over the pages, and commented on the topic I was studying so intensely.
" wow, this is a pretty big subject here.. You know, they say alot of psychologists commit suicide later in their careers. "

I was a bit flabbergasted by this comment, but replied simply, " I suppose thats understandable, for alot of different reasons"

"well," she says, "good luck with it"

Still a bit baffled, I returned to the table and moved on to the enormous encyclopedia of psychology. I flipped through the pages for another few hours, noting the pages I'd need copied as I went.

When I returned to the desk for the second round of copies, Both women were a bit surprised by how many pages I'd marked.
" That must be one heck of an assignment"

assignment?

"Well to need that much, on THAT topic, you must be doing some kind of thesis assignment. "

I had to laugh. It finally hit me, these two librarians were under the impression I was doing a college paper. I explained to them that I was a consultant, and needed the information for a client's references and resources.

They both looked at me like I was a twelve year old trying to buy booze. "you've GOT to be kidding?"

no, really. I am a consultant, I study child psychology, this information is not for a class, its for a client... here, take my card.

I give them my business card- and before I left caught them browsing my website, comparing the photo on the page to me, in front of them. Both of them looked completely baffled.

"oh my! " one says, " then those ARE your kids you bring in right? "

well, of course they're my kids.

they both laugh again, more of an embarrassed giggle, " ooooh!! we were thinkking those were your younger brother and sister! You don't look old enough to be ....wel, um, to have, ... um..."

Again I laugh, because I'm sure if their feet would reach, they'd be chewing their toes. " Yes, I know, I look fresh out of school. HAHA do you want to see ID?"

we all shared a laugh at that. The first librarian then tells me "Well, good luck to you, but keep in mind what I told you."

Well folks, allow me to assure you now, My psychology studies will not lead me to suicide!
Though as I said, I can understand why this could be.

As a woman who looks too young to know half of what I do, when I explain psychology to people they seem to think I'm making it up as I go.

All of the different zones one topic can enter, can send a person spinning insane in no time. Someone who has studied Psychology can see the reasoning behind many, many behaviors, even when the person doing the behaving seems to have no idea.

I don't believe I will join the 'suicide statistics' , as this study is almost first nature to me. I've always been good at 'figuring it out' - reading people is my thing. I'm able to figure out why a person does what they do, they emotions behind it, and what they will most likely do next. Its honestly almost scary sometimes.

I enjoy it. It drives those around me absolutly batty occasionally, as I try out a new theory or behavioral trick. My husband and children declare they are unwilling guinea pigs. I do my best not to 'experiment ' on them, but there are times when I have to resort to my psych knowledge as a mother in need of a new solution.

I may look young, but I am very much 'lived -in' ,beyond my actual years. This can be frustrating sometimes, but, knowing the 'tricks' ,and a ton of psychology, I can also use it to my advantage.

Never fear- I plan to be around for a long time yet.