Friday, August 7, 2009

Gaaaahhhhhhh

I was really very pissed off today. The Boys had a play date today at a friend's. It is on the complete other side of town (30 minutes away), and I was a bit hesitant about them being there without the parents, though the grandma was there. And I've had issues with this family previously on boundary setting, and letting the kids run amok with no supervision, all over their development. So I was VERY clear with all the kids and the grandma that I DID NOT approve the boys to go swimming. My boys are good swimmers, but given the family history of little supervision, I was not comfortable with it. Not. At. All. Of course when I came back for the kids, no one answered the door, so I walked to the pool where I found the boys, no grandma in sight. Then I got meltdowns and out right ignoring when I told them to get out of the pool. I'd been there for about 5 minutes before the grandma reappeared, shrugging and looking only mildly sheepish. Because she speaks limited English, I could only convey my anger through my eyes. I FINALLY got the boys out of the pool and changed into their uniforms for TKD. That is the last time they will be playing at that house. Ever. I talked to the boys on the way to TKD about what went so wrong with their decision to ignore completely my direction. If they were going to swim (which I was assured was NOT GOING TO HAPPEN), I would have stayed to watch them. I was told they would be staying in the house, playing board games. This is following last evening's experience with the neighbor kids at the house until I had to send them home at The Boys' bed time. The parents never once came to ask about their kids, or even called them for dinner. And The Youngest fought with the boy. It ended in crying and screaming, and that was the end of their time here. Even tonight, as soon as I pulled into the driveway, they came running over, but I'd had it up to my eyeballs and told them to go home. They have been complaining that I got rid of the junky snack foods. Oh, I'm sorry! When the hell was I put in charge of feeding the neighborhood? My snack costs TRIPLED! So now it is only fruits and vegetables, which my kids will eat, but at which the neighbor kids turn up their noses. The other side of it that I do feel bad that they are likely ignored at their own home, but still...
Then I vent to The Dude, and he just says that I made a poor decision to leave the boys at that house. Well, that was helpful and made me feel Soooooooo much better. Thanks. I suppose HE would have gone over and sat with The Boys and their friend, and the grandma? NOOOOOOooooooo, he was not anywhere near volunteering for that!

7 comments:

Sara Diana said...

How frustrating! I am with you on this one!

King of New York Hacks said...

Vent...Exhale...begin anew.

JennyMac said...

UGH...First, I never understand why people do not WATCH KIDS while in the pool. It takes 20 seconds or less to drown. But glad you got this out of your system. You didnt make a bad decision...you learned a great lesson going forward. Deep breath.. oh, and cocktail!!!!

aurbie said...

Sounds like you had a bad day, J9. Kids in a pool with no supervision=trouble.

Kids begging for sweets is more trouble. Have you ever read Sugar Blues? We avoid all sugar except for special occasions. Bu check the labels on cans and boxes. Sugar in soups? Sugar in everything.

As Gloria Swanson said about sugar, "That stuff will kill you."

Dude, do the pool thing with the kids.

Have a great weekend.

Deb said...

oh dear lord... sometimes i think it is easier to have anti-social kids!!! i have always been more comfortable with kids coming over here, so i can monitor. it used to be a huge pain, but now that everyone is older, i just send them down to the basement and when i am sick of them, i simply send them on their way. goodbye. they are old enough to walk/bike/scooter home.

thanks for your words of support, by the way. do you realize you have your profile set to "no reply", so i can't email you back?

anyway, i'd love more info on the girls w/ cf.

see ya!

Chef E said...

I have heard others complain that they too have had children left for play dates, feeding them, left till late, and no phone calls to check on them...I would be afraid to have my children smaller...I would be afraid of what I might have said in your situation...venting helps, and we are hear to listen, so vent away!

Kathryn Magendie said...

Lawdy be! glad everyone was okay!