Peanut butter and mayonnaise...

One of my “mom-isms” was something I have told my children since they were old enough to fall in love. When my kids would came home from school with a crush that was not reciprocated and they were heartbroken I would give them the following example of why they should not be so down on themselves, feeling inadequate or unworthy.

It is like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Two people might go together in a fabulous way like a sandwich. They might be a good match and everyone thinks it is a good thing. Perhaps it is strawberry or grape jelly and maybe it is chunky versus creamy peanut butter. None the less, it is a good match.

Then there is the situation where someone prefers turkey and mayonnaise. Now there is nothing wrong with a turkey and mayo sandwich. I even like this on occasion. Or perhaps it is roast beef and horseradish – not bad either.
Each sandwich in its own way is great. However when you mix things up, it might not be such a good match. Imagine peanut butter and horseradish or grape jelly and turkey. Hmmmm…
Now like I said - there is nothing wrong with turkey or peanut butter in and of itself, but maybe the match is not right…

So when the kids are hurting from a nonreciprocating love, I tell them it is like peanut butter and mayonnaise. Nothing wrong with either one - it is just not the match that is meant to be.

Next time if things don’t work out the way you plan with someone, or your children are having a break-up, remind them that is just like “peanut butter and mayonnaise.”