H's MLC #3

[woundedfool]

I think you missed an opportunity here.

Guessing from the tone of your post, it feels combative. I don't see much validation in your responses.

First, I would have had the conversation like this:

Me: Just a reminder, S13 has a football game on saturday.
H: I know I may not be able to stay whole game.
Me: So we need to drive separate cars?
H: Yep
Me: OK

You have no idea if he would, or would not have left early. Who knows? But I am guessing now, he will leave early come hell or high water.

If it would have evolved past that....And this is second guessing/hindsight: But after the first line about work, I would have said something a little more affirming: "I know you work real hard, and it is the busy time of year, but S13 really likes seeing you at the games". Or "I understand how you feel about your parents not attending and it hurts knowing they didn't seem to find the time for your interests, but you are a different from them".