March 16, 2006
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ok, didn’t care for how the pictures turned out, so I’m just going to post one or two a day. So many pictures… so little time.
I have been trying to spend some time scrapbooking as well. I’m reading a couple of books, and studying for final exams. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in my day for housework……. ::grin:: Darn it!
edited *** removed pictures so those with dial up don’t have to wait forever for the site to load *****
King Protea, Bottlebrush, and Black Rose (I think) from the Lavendar farm.
On sunday we went to the 5:30 pm mass, as usual (the Life Teen Choir is a big draw, we all love music and when the music is so good, and the message is divine, how can we resist?). Unfortuantely, my youngest dd was not in attendance. Not becuase she had special permission to skip church, but because the people we trusted to taker her out to a movie failed to bring her home in time. This actually, really ticked me off.
They left the house at 9:30 am. The plan was to go to friend’s house and hang out untill time to catch the early movie. Squirt left with her father’s admoinshment to be home NO LATER than 4:45 so we could get to church on time. Friend’s mom (who is somewhat lacking in the discipline arena) calls to confirm plans with the promise to have her back about 3:00. So how is it that at 4:55 when we left they were still unaccounted for???? No phone call, “gee I’m sorry I failed to return your child as promised”, or, “Sorry we’re late, but we are all fine”, no… “I know we’re 2 hours overdue, but just want to reassure you everything is ok”. I call the house and leave several messages and my cell phone number. I curse myself for not getting Squirt her own cell phone so I can track her down like a stalker parent. I curse friend’s mom for being so predictably unreliable.
Driving down the highway at 5:05 we see them pass us headed home. I’m ticked. I call our house to leave a message and discover I’ve left the fax machine enabled. I wait patiently for them to call me like an self-respecting adult would. No call.
5:25 we are pulling into church. They have been home about 15 minutes or more. No call. Fine… I’LL CALL! Friend’s mom answers the phone. She is sickly sweet….. “oh we just this minute got home”…..I’m unimpressed….”can I talk to Squirt please”…. she hems and haws and finally goes to get her, then she gets back on the line… “I bet you guys have already left huh? (GEE, what a genius!) I’m sorry, things we just so…. bad well you wouldn’t believe it” — I reply… “Can I please talk to Squirt”. I’m not happy with her and don’t want to soothe her guilty feelings right now. Squirt finally gets on the line, I give her instructions and sign off.
Later that evening when we’ve returned home I get the story. Friend’s mom spent over 1 hour trying to make her 7 year old daughter get in the car. 7yo was running around the parking lot, kicking mom and throwing a tantrum cause she wanted to go see the bunnies in the pet store. After mom let her do that she threw a tantrum, running around, kicking mom becuase she wanted to get a book from the book store, and buy a fish. It took the mom, 17 yo son, and two 12yo’s over an hour to get this kid in the car.
My question… what the heck is mom going to do when daughter is 16, doing drugs and throwing a tantrum in the store because mom won’t buy her the latest … whatever… she feels she needs/deserves. Mom I think is headed towards a very unpleasant situation. All of her kids are similar. This is the same mom that I told you the daughter pushed her when they got into a fight (the 12yo) and she got 2 days restriciton, new clothes, new bedroom furniture and her room cleaned by mom out of it. My daughter would still be looking for the rest of her teeth. (Exaggeration — don’t panic, I’m not an abusive mom). But lets just say the only benefit my daughter would have gotten out of that would have been a renewed sense of respect and a stern lesson on manners.
I know, everyone’s parenting styles are different. But what are we creating by ignoring the need for self discipline, self restraint, respect and manners? What do you guys think?
Comments (6)
Check out my Dear PlainOleMike column in today’s post. I believe I answered your “shark week” questions in there somewhere.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that has to deal with their daughters’ toxic “friends” and the parents that inevitably come with that situation. Some people just beg for an ass kicking! At least your daughter has the good sense to detect dysfunction as shes witnessing it. Whenever my girls visit with their friend “Satan” I have to reprogram them. :rolleyes:
I think I agree with your parenting style.
I think I would have beat that child within an inch of her life…well, someone needs to do that to the mom to wake her up. Sorry I might sound so angry but stupid parenting skills or lack thereof, really tick me off. I would have told them to bring your daughter to the church. Anyway…your pics are so beautiful! I can’t wait to see more! have a good weekend!
The flowers in Hawaii are so cool looking!!!:sunny:
I’m a firm believer in beating your children…just not on the face. YOu don’t want the bruises to show… JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!! Though a sound spanking once in a while is TOTALLY called for. Spankings in our house are for basically lying and sassing. Haven’t had any worse transgressions than that *crossing my fingers*…yeah, it is good that your daughter sees that that kid is a horrible brat…