As older children now they are VERY critical of the characters. Ariel is criticized as a "stupid 16 year old" and "no wonder her dad tried to keep her at home, she's delusional"
Haha. It’s interesting to see one’s children growing into adults, ain’t it.
Originally Posted by grok
G, "OK. Though you know you are all capable children and do very well even when I'm not there. What bothers you when I'm not here?"
I’d remove “children” when speaking to daughters about grown up stuff and responsibilities and such. It’s a little gentle steering of them. An almost unnoticeable setting the bar higher. And they like to reach those goals, albeit mostly unwittingly for a few more years.
Originally Posted by grok
D19, "I know ... but I'm always worried if something happens how I will get help. Which friend I'd call to ask their Dad or someone to come help."
I reassured her she is smart and capable and will deal well with whatever comes up. It stuck in my mind she didn't mention XW. That bothers me a bit. I'm still mulling over exactly why it bothers me.
On the practical side, perhaps I need to put a call list on the fridge of people she can call.
Having a list of contacts will definitely lessen that worrying.
Years ago, I made a list of emergency numbers and mounted it in a nice frame on the wall by the phone. It has the hospital, fire, my cell number, grandma’s phone, etc, and our address. The address is important, during an emergency it’s surprising how our brains kind of short circuit and we blank.
I also showed/trained my kids on how to shut off a few things around the house, just in case. (I live in rural area, water and sewer is not provided by the town/municipality.)
- The location and operation of the main water valve.
- The electrical panels and the index of the circuit breakers.
- The circuit breaker for the well water pump.
- The circuit breaker for the hot water tank.
- The circuit breaker for the septic pump. Also operation of septic system.
- How to reset/restart the geothermal furnace (heat and air conditioning) if the thermostat gets stuck or mixed up.
- The main circuit breaker of the main electrical panel. (Last resort thing. If there’s a big problem, just shut it off.)
- Hid a spare key outside, in case they lost their’s.
Of course, at this point they knew how to operate the stove/oven, laundry machine, and so on. Even those the dishwasher was somewhat ignored.
And even now - all in their twenties, some married, home owners - it like back then, XW/Mom is not on their list of who’d they reach out to for help.
D
Feelings are fleeting. Be better, not bitter. Love the person, forgive the sin.
