It's Sunday. Got a day planned at the lake with friends. Oldest child (Princess) has to work.
I plan my schedule so that I can take said child to work at 12:45 for a 1:00pm shift, then head off to the lake.
Said child gets off from work at 9-9:30 depending on closing routine. Got it.
Blah Blah Blah, Lake, fun, hot, Blah Blah Blah home by 6:00pm
Child texts me at 9:15 or so, needs ride home.
Head out to pick up said child.
Arrive at work location to find child dressed in a short, revealing dress with wedges on (heels). No, this is not her work uniform, which by the way I dropped said child off to work in. Said child works in food service industry where uniform is required.
I ask said child "Where's your uniform?" and "Why are you in a dress?"
(insert excuses here about not sure when we were arriving home, maybe we would be out until late, not sure if she would need to get a ride home, she packed these clothes this morning when she didn't know what was going on)
Ummm... ride home? Packed clothes this morning? Huh? Not of it makes any sense.
We told her that we would be there to get her from work. Who stays at a lake until 9:00pm on a Sunday night? Who changes after a supposed 9+ hr shift into clean clothes smelling of fried food and sweat?
Child gets defensive. Says she'll bring me her time card to show me she was at work. I asked: "When did simple questions become an issue?"
Wait! I know! I know! WHEN YOU STARTING LYING TO US! (No I didn't say this, just the thought that passed between hubby and I as we looked at each in the car)
Yes! That's it! I believe I have the right to be suspicious and untrusting when you exercised your right to be deceitful.
Best part is still yet to come. What part of the internet does this generation not understand? I know that when I post this blog entry, the entire WORLD could potentially read it (I said potentially, but probably only about 10 will actually read it). I know that this information is out there and regardless of whether I delete this post, ever, it is saved on some far far away server for perpetuity. I get that too!
This generation, Now as I call it, doesn't get it. As many times as she has been busted by Facebook posts, pictures and Tweets you think she would learn. NOPE!
She tweets: "I can not wait to not live with you anymore. #psycho #getmeoutofhere"
Really? Really? Ungrateful ass! We just came back from a 12 day Mediterranean Cruise, and you can't wait to leave here? Seriously? Stick a fork in me...I'm done, well done. Overcooked. Burnt.
Oh and then.... same kid who hasn't lifted a finger to take an SAT or study for one, despite having a $40+ book she "had to have." Same kid who wanted to talk to a recruiter and was all gung ho about the Reserves, who hasn't emailed or done anything towards that end either. Same kid who let her grades slip her junior year (one D and one C), her friggin' junior year! She tells me that she is getting information from Duke. HAH! Duke? Duke! She has never mentioned it in the 3 years she has been in high school!
For starters Dear Heart, you don't get into Duke on whim. You plan for Duke. You work for Duke. You don't fall into Duke by accident, it's by design. Never mind the cost! Without scholarships, we couldn't afford the housing never mind the tuition! So when I giggled because of the absurdity of this, she gets indignant and thinks I am not supportive.
Really? And yes...that merited a Tweet as well. I think I got a hashtag of fuck off. Maybe it's time to take away the social media sites.
As I look back on what I did right and what I did wrong in parenting, I know one thing to be certain: I gave too much.
I never thought that could be the case growing up with little attention, affection and general understanding from my parents. They were always so wrapped up in their lives to be selfless enough for me. So I grew up getting what I wanted through hard work, hard knocks and hard times. I don't begrudge them. They did the best they could with what they had to give emotionally.
But I swore not to be like that. I vowed to do better. And I thought I had, but there are moments and situations when I know I gave too much. And one word comes to mind: overprivileged.
Now I don't how to fix it, or if I can. Most would say I am reaping what I sowed, and while that may be the case I am not throwing in the towel.
There is a cool wind blowing and it's bringing change along with it, and I don't mean Obamacare.
For now, I just need a sanity check. Please tell me that I haven't lost touch with reality. Tell me that it gets better. That some day I will actually miss her not living with us, and that I will miss these days. Ok well not these particular days, but the good days. Someone tell me that she will look back and realize that she didn't have it so friggin' bad. Someone just tell me that I will get through this next year, her senior year.
So I fought with my mom like crazy in HS and then I went off to college and still fought with her, but then my grandmother got sick and died and we got close, but then I moved to Korea and we were even closer (you know with some space between us) and then home...where we fight but not bad, we just don't always agree....and we are both always right....but things are now great and we do get along....it comes with time....and age!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I would like to take the Princess's place when she no longer lives with you. I would love to have the opportunity to travel all over Europe on someone else's dime.
ReplyDeleteThis too shall pass, I'm sure of it. Hopefully the Princess will survive it. I'm not worried about you, kiddo.
I have to say that I laughed along with you when I read Duke. Holy crap, really? Dare to dream, girl. Good luck paying for it if Mitt "everyone is entitled to as much education as they can afford" Romney is elected. Sorry, I will keep political digs to a minimum. I'm still kind of surprised that we're on different teams politically speaking.
You are a good parent. Don't let anything she does convince you otherwise. She will thank you later. Don't back down. -Robin Duff
Thank you both! I wonder sometimes if I was ever this bad as a teen. I am sure my mom will say I was worse. LOL I just keep reminding myself she is actually from my loins and that I ALWAYS love her even when I don't like her. :)
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