Mothers and Daughters

Once again I am bemoaning the fact that I haven't been visiting blog world as much as I would like. My own fault and I cannot really say why I haven't - time and energy I suppose (or lack of it). I have at least kept up with ABC Wednesday simply because I really want to complete the alphabet!

Since our holiday I have spent quite a lot of time dealing with my mother. She is fine really, fully recovered from her fall at Easter and when we are away she copes very well and tells everyone that she is well. A different story when I return from wherever I have been, however. She has this complaint or that and because she is 88 I cannot ignore it and have to make whatever arrangements or appointments etc etc. So we have been to the doctor, the dentist and the optician and I have had to arrange a hospital appointment for her to have a check up as her GP cannot find anything wrong! Then there is the weekly shopping trip and hair appointment as well as helping her with household bills - checking and filing, not paying - housework, ironing etc. And so the time goes on! All this and my own household to deal with - no wonder I run out of time and energy.

I also take time to chat with my own daughter on the phone, 2 or 3 times a week. I usually call in the evening just before 9 pm, when I know her little girl will be tucked up in bed and daughter will have, hopefully, finished most of her own chores. Last evening I took the opportunity to call and she told me a story about my grand-daughter (age 6, just). I will try to keep it as brief as possible!

Last Wednesday had been the 40th birthday of my daughter's friend J and the two of them had a "Pamper Day". J's husband volunteered to pick both their little boy and my grand-daughter, Imogen, up from school so that they didn't have to rush back and the day was very enjoyable and the girls returned to J's house suitably pampered and relaxed. Wednesday happens to be Imogen's swimming lesson day so daughter asked her if she wanted to stay and play with B or go swimming, there wasn't time for both. Immy decided on staying to play but when home time came announced that she would like to go swimming now! "No time" said daughter, "I gave you the choice and you decided on staying here". At that, Imogen threw a real tantrum, making a terrible fuss, crying and shouting and saying something about not having cake!

Daughter apologised to her friends, manhandled the unruly child into her car and got her home, where she manhandled her into their house. There she made no bones about telling her what an ungrateful, rude and naughty girl she was and that she was ashamed of her. "Why have I got to be grateful" Imogen asked. "Because A picked you and B up from school, gave you a lovely tea and you have had a lovely time playing. It is J's birthday, it was supposed to be a birthday tea for her and you have been very rude". Imogen, now realising what she had done, was mortified and immediately said that she felt very ashamed. She was told she would have to write a letter of apology to J and her husband and little boy. So Imogen got on with the letter and this is what she wrote -

"Dear J, A and B, I am really sorry for behaving so badly at your house today if there is any cake left can I have some please".

Daughter read it and said "you cannot send this because it looks as though you are only apologising because you want cake. Do another letter". Second letter was done - "Dear J, A and B, I am really sorry for behaving so badly today and I am ashamed of myself. I hope I can come to play again. love Imogen". The letter was given to J at school the following morning.

After the children had gone into school my daughter showed J the original letter. J laughed out loud, thought it extremely funny and asked if she could keep it to show Imogen when she is grown up. Daughter said she would let her have a copy! J also said that Imogen had written what we would probably all like to say but it is only children that have the nerve to say it.

So a lesson learned I think and her punishment was no TV for the rest of the week, which she accepted without any objection! I must add too that Imogen is a very sweet little girl and well behaved normally, but does have her "moments"! But then, don't we all!