Friday I get a text from W saying she can't pick D up at school at 3:00, and asking me if I can pick her up, and wait for MIL to come get her. I tell her, "sure, but I've got plans for tonight. D's welcome where I'm going, and if MIL isn't here by 5:00 then I'll just take her with me and you can get her tomorrow." I also remind her that D can go to after school on Friday if she needs to, and that both she and MIL are on her pickup list. Just call school and make sure she ends up in the right place.
It's kind of strange to me to go about it like this. You clearly have plans, so why not have D go to after school care in this case? It sets it up so that she is going to continue to ask you and your 'reminder' falls on deaf ears - in fact, it probably causes her to feel like you are thinking youre the 'better parent' for knowing these kinds of things.
Originally Posted By: EastTN
D was pretty disappointed that I picked her up. It took a bit to get her cheered up.
Plus theres this. I find that my kids are always in a weird mood when their schedule changes without some advance discussion.
Originally Posted By: EastTN
Board game group went well.
Whatd you play? I go on Mondays. I think Im lined up for 1989: Dawn of Freedom tonight.
Originally Posted By: EastTN
I ask what's wrong, and remind her to make sure D knows that if mommy punishes her, that punishment WILL still be in effect when she goes home to daddy. I also give her some advice (our parenting styles are wildly different, and mine works a LOT better with D).
The punishment talk is kind of strange. Thats a weird thing to say over text. As for your advice, I also share things that I do with the kids that I find successful, but I try not to word it as 'you should try xxx.' but rather 'I do xxx and yyy and find that I get a good response.' Then she can do with that information what she wants. Rather than offering a critique, its more like just an alternative.
