Isn't she regal? She is about the only one in our household who's had a relaxing weekend. I've fought with Alison; I've lectured Ashley--the two girls have argued as well. Tempers have flared, and I haven't felt very positive about how I've dealt with it all. If you want the shortened version of it--Alison wanted to go to a friend's, and I didn't want her to stay up too late because she has been fighting a cold. We leave for Regionals in Boise Wednesday; last year when we went there for a meet, she was miserably sick, her ear wouldn't unplug, she threw herself against the wall of the hotel room in frustration to try to fix it, she had a horrible beam routine, etc...My terse words to her included that I would cancel the trip to Boise if she got sick; it is too much time and money to waste, plus I have no intention of dealing with a crabby, sick child on a puddle jumper Bombardier. (basically a Lear jet) Then tonight after a delicious Thai dinner with my parents, Ashley started in about her worthless life, her bad decisions, how crappy things are--and I let her have it. She is such a talented, and intelligent girl, but is SO hard on herself and can be incredibly negative and critical. How can she ever be happy? She thinks that she should have made a difference in the world by now!(she's 19 years old-I am nearing 50 and STILL not sure I've changed the world for the better) However, I have tried to improve my little corner of it; that is the best I can do. In some GOOD news, my $4 poinsettia is still alive; here it is yesterday:
Everyone says that we all turn into our mothers some day. My mom can keep poinsettias alive into the summer, and could probably reuse the same one year after year. Mine usually go into the recycler after a couple weeks with hardly any leaves left! I'm lucky if I can keep them alive until Christmas. I am considering this a good sign--my weekend has not been blessed with many of them.
Here's to a better week and a safe trip to Boise.
Posted by: Alison | March 27, 2006 at 05:53 AM
Competition is hard enough. To face wile sick, I can't imagine. Yes we have to be "bad moms" sometimes and say the dreaded "no" word. LOL! She'll get over it.
19 and hasn't changed the world? What is it that she is aiming for? What part to take on first? She sounds like she has big hopes. I wish her well.
Some of the times, turning into our own moms isn't such a bad thing. :)
Lois Lane
Posted by: Lois Lane | March 27, 2006 at 09:43 AM
Try to cheer Ashley up by telling her to "join the club"....we all suffer from bad decisions and worthlessness from time to time!!!! It gives us the incentive to want EVEN MORE to change things!!!
Im afraid Im no help on this one!! sorry.....
....but alcohol works wonders!!!! cheers!
Posted by: Laura | March 27, 2006 at 11:50 AM
I read somewhere that mom's are not supposed to be friends with their teenage daughters, because the teenage years are the years of searching for self-identity, and need a pillar of support to lean on, not a friend to chat with. (I wish I could remember the exact wording of it.)
Don't feel too bad. Just assure yourself that your girls still love you, and that you still love them.
Posted by: VJ | March 27, 2006 at 05:10 PM
It is so hard raising children, isn't it? We see all the wonderful things about our kids that sometimes they just can't manage to see themselves. And the expectations! Yikes...don't get me started. Hope it gets better soon.
Posted by: violetismycolor | March 27, 2006 at 07:04 PM
Sending hugs your way. I hope Alison is feeling better soon and that Ashley can learn she can be herself and everything will be just fine. :)
Posted by: Lee Anne | March 27, 2006 at 07:17 PM
Ah! Girls -- teenage girls! (Actually, not all that different from teenage boys....at least mine!)
Posted by: Tonya | March 27, 2006 at 08:14 PM
I just killed my ivy plant of two years. I moved it so Spencer wouldn't chew it and then forgot to water it. I guess now it's with Spencer being chewed away. LOL
Posted by: Bari | March 28, 2006 at 04:53 AM