Responsibility Cost
Everyone says that being a parent is hard work. I have found that for the most part is has been enjoyable but, every once in a while, there is the awakening slap of the difficulties of being a parent, usually through the eyes of another parent. Fortunately me and my lovely wife, the pain has been brief and infrequent.
I had one of those brief glimpses last night. I arrived home and immediately started making dinner and baking zucchini bread. We had SOS and fried zucchini, so dinner was one that needed to be tended and leaving the stove for more than a moment was next to impossible. I heard the blare of whatever is popular on the radio wafting through the air and made the incorrect assumption that everyone was home and doing there best to avoid their afternoon chores. My second assumption was right but I was soon to discover that my oldest daughter was not at home.
Our doorbell rang and it is usually one of my son’s friends, arriving right before dinner to play. Impeccable timing. This time, it was an adult that I hadn’t met before who introduced herself as the mother of one of my oldest daughter’s friends. She asked if her daughter was at my house because she was late for soccer practice. So I walked up stairs to pound on the door to get their attention. Much to my surprise, the door was open and the room was dark and empty. Well, now I get to tell this nice lady that not only is her daughter not here, but neither is mine. To make matters worse, I do not know where my daughter is.
My middle daughter comes to the rescue. While up stairs, I had asked her if she knew where he sister was and received the short sharp, No. Curiosity got the better of her and she stood behind me at the front door and said that her oldest sister and this ladies daughter were swimming at a friends. Of course, she left out that her mother had given permission until after the concerned mother had left to pick up her daughter. Now I look like a parent who lets his daughter run wild and cavort with whom ever they want. This mother was concerned that her daughter was no where to be found and had only been told that her she was at a friend’s house. Vague but true. I on the other hand had no idea where my daughter was (not the usual situation) but my wife was in the loop. All was right with the world, just the appearance of bad parenting. You know what they say about 1st impressions. I think I made one.
Fortunately (yes again fortunately), I have great kids who normally listen and still communicate with their parents. Kids will be kids and as all reasonable parents remember, they (and everyone else in the world) want to get their way. It is our job to guide them and teach them to be responsible. So, I have a black eye with one of the neighbors, but at least I know where my daughter is.
Icool
Cobb
I had one of those brief glimpses last night. I arrived home and immediately started making dinner and baking zucchini bread. We had SOS and fried zucchini, so dinner was one that needed to be tended and leaving the stove for more than a moment was next to impossible. I heard the blare of whatever is popular on the radio wafting through the air and made the incorrect assumption that everyone was home and doing there best to avoid their afternoon chores. My second assumption was right but I was soon to discover that my oldest daughter was not at home.
Our doorbell rang and it is usually one of my son’s friends, arriving right before dinner to play. Impeccable timing. This time, it was an adult that I hadn’t met before who introduced herself as the mother of one of my oldest daughter’s friends. She asked if her daughter was at my house because she was late for soccer practice. So I walked up stairs to pound on the door to get their attention. Much to my surprise, the door was open and the room was dark and empty. Well, now I get to tell this nice lady that not only is her daughter not here, but neither is mine. To make matters worse, I do not know where my daughter is.
My middle daughter comes to the rescue. While up stairs, I had asked her if she knew where he sister was and received the short sharp, No. Curiosity got the better of her and she stood behind me at the front door and said that her oldest sister and this ladies daughter were swimming at a friends. Of course, she left out that her mother had given permission until after the concerned mother had left to pick up her daughter. Now I look like a parent who lets his daughter run wild and cavort with whom ever they want. This mother was concerned that her daughter was no where to be found and had only been told that her she was at a friend’s house. Vague but true. I on the other hand had no idea where my daughter was (not the usual situation) but my wife was in the loop. All was right with the world, just the appearance of bad parenting. You know what they say about 1st impressions. I think I made one.
Fortunately (yes again fortunately), I have great kids who normally listen and still communicate with their parents. Kids will be kids and as all reasonable parents remember, they (and everyone else in the world) want to get their way. It is our job to guide them and teach them to be responsible. So, I have a black eye with one of the neighbors, but at least I know where my daughter is.
Icool
Cobb
posted by Cobb at
7:16 AM
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