Yes yes in the Parents' Handbook I've mentally written it says in CAPS - DO NOT PHONE THEM. THEY MUST PHONE YOU.
But sometimes I have a little time to stretch out and sip a diet gingerale and I think, hey, I wonder how so and so (22 and loves me) is doing. Or else, hey, I wonder if so and so (20 - "I love you but you drive me crazy") is doing. And I make the mistake of placing the call.
When you call them they are always busy. Always. They might talk to you for a minute or two but in the background you can hear their thumbs working away at text messaging, or their computer keys being hit, or whatever goddam gadget they've got going this week. And whatever you say to them the response is the same. "What?"
A kid never hears a parent the first time. That's in THEIR handbook.
Since the 'little one' has strep throat (I discovered yesterday) she won't talk to me. I called today to see if she's feeling better. "Yes." "Oh I'm so glad honey. So you saw the doctor and got something for it?" "Yes. I can't talk now I have to go back to sleep." Understandable.
The other one is at Anime North. This is the highlight of her life. I know this fact but I thought maybe a little call? "Hi honey!" "I'm busy." "Well, I know, but are you having fun?" "Yes, I'm busy having fun. Goodbye."
Okay, fair enough, who wants to talk to their mother when they're at Animé North?
I should count my blessings. Neither of them told me to "Fuck off" and they don't do a lot of drugs or have a lot of sexual partners. They're both in college or university. They're great, actually, they just suck when it comes to me. Is that normal? I think it might be.
Bah. I think I'll go find Felix and pester him. He'll listen to me. He says he enjoys my 'chatter.' I choose to take that as English talk for 'intelligent conversation.'
Ta!
ps - I needed a new post, and this is it. Another time, perhaps we'll talk about how kids feel about having an erotica author as a mother . . . "luv the trophy Mom, can I take it to show and tell?"
3 comments:
I loved this post, though I know nothing of the subject of teenagers. Maybe I just like to watch from a safe distance and feel relieved it isn't me!
;-)
Apparently it passes. I don't know if I'll be alive then, though. My faith is sustained by the possibility of grandchildren.
Give me one more baby to hold and love and NOT be wholly responsible for. Well, maybe give me some sort of wedding where I'm Mother of the Bride and then give me that adorable little beast to hold and THEN I'll die happy.
Ooh, I am tuned for the next post.
I listen to you Madeline, you make me laugh so often on blogs. Funny lady :)
I think raising kids that are great and don't need you much is the highest achievement. What we should all be aiming for, even if it stings a bit.
Chances are they'll come back more soon, though, anyway...
Good luck with those grandbabies! My neighbour once said, 'If I want a grandchild, I'm going to have to knit one!' But she's got two, since :)
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