My youngest daughter had her school's annual end-of-school outing to Seabreeze Amusement Park. It's a right of passage event for third, fourth and fifth graders. She has been waiting to do this for the last three months and constantly questioning me if I would chaperone. I told her I would. I bought tickets, signed permission slips, and planned how much spending money I would bring.
A few days before the event, her older sister asked if she could attend. I said no. She whined and asked why? My answer was complicated. For starters, the trip was for my younger child's school which she didn't attend. My teenager complained about being bored, if she stayed home by herself. My response was: I don't care. And when none of those responses appeased her. I broke it down.
It's your sister's turn, you had your turn.
She looked at me perplexed. I had to remind her that when she was in third, fourth, and fifth grade, she went to Seabreeze and taunted her sister. And yes, she was cruel. My teen made it seem like only babies attended Hodgepodge Day (an all-day outdoor school event complete with games, balloons, magicians, and music.) My youngest didn't complain or cry. She took it in stride because she knew with each grade advancement she would arrive to third grade.
I started noticing that every time one of my baby's friends invited her somewhere, they were extending an invitation to her older sister. That's OK and I appreciated it. However, my youngest needs time to hang out with her friends sans her sister.
What goes around comes around. As Peyton and I walked out the door carrying her swimwear and towel, I reminded her older sister that God doesn't like ugly. I also added that since she was a teenager, she was more than able to entertain herself and didn't need us around. This was my baby's moment and I was letting her have it.
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Thursday, June 24th 2010 at 1:25PM
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