Gratitude for Mom the hard way
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| Tue, 12-19-2006 - 12:18am |
Had to share this one. 16yoDD is on the Swim Team at school and has a PT job with a local clothing retailer. Swim Team practice is after-school 2 to 3 days per week. Mostly she works on weekends but during the heavy holiday shopping time she has taken additional hours on weeknights.
Lately, to say she has been pressed for time between school, work and Swim Team would be an understatement. I have helped out with some of her chores, holiday spirit, motherly concern and all. Last Friday she had arrived home from work about 9:30pm (she had Swim Team prior to work); sensing that she probably was tired I retreived her wet bathing suit and Swim Team bag from her car. When I walked in the front door and dropped her keys on the table she boldly announced "Mom you know I really don't like people in my car!"
I stood there staring at the back of her head, since she was lounging on the couch watching a movie I rented for her enjoyment. I had to step back on the porch to suppress several responses I had for the light of my life, did she remember whose name was on the title?
I had a better idea, I returned the wet swimsut and Swim Team bag to "HER CAR". This morning she was near hysteria when she realized the swimsuit was still in her trunk and smelled like it had spent a week in a wet ditch...today after-school she had a Swim Meet...what would she do? I just stood in the kitchen and said I don't know dear, whatever will you do? Help me Mom! Oh, the cries of the ungrateful children.
I gave her an alternative she could run the suit thru the wash in 10 minutes then hang it in her car to dry by the end of the school day. "Oh, Mom couldn't you wash it and bring it to school and leave it in my car?" Nope, I heard you don't like "people in your car."
Age, motherhood and the wisdom of a lesson learned has it benefits!!! I still haven't discerned at exactly what moment in time I became "people".

Good one! An easy, nonconfrontational lesson for your DD, and a de-stressor for you!
Sue
<<"Mom you know I really don't like people in my car!">>
Why? What is she hiding in there that she doesn't want you to see?