One of the truly great things for a parent, if you have more than one kid and they are separated by a few years, occurs when the first child hits the teen years, believe it or not. What is this great thing? Why it's built-in baby-sitting, of course!
Our daughters are approximately six years apart, so we have the perfect baby-sitting situation. This is very useful, due to all the rehearsals, performances and other similar events that my wife and I have. It's nice that the youngest can get in bed on time (if it is a night-time event) and they would BOTH rather not be tagging along for these things, in general.
A couple of years ago, we made a deal with Rebecca that if she could be a baby-sitter on demand, we'd let her have unlimited texting on her phone. Good deal, right? Answer: yes it is! No driving to get a baby-sitter, no pestering relatives to watch the kids, and no kids missing bedtimes!
This ideal situation we have is not perfect, however. The two are BOTH incredibly dramatic, which, while useful in musicals and plays and such, is not such a great help at home. Additionally, they both revel in getting on each other's nerves and generally making things difficult on each other.
One of the neat things that Rachel, the younger, does EVERY SINGLE TIME WE ARE GONE PAST HER BEDTIME, is manufacture a crying fit at bedtime, because she "misses her Mommy."
Since she has begun to learn that whole reading and writing thing, she often leaves notes for Dianne, outlining the entire situation. While I'm certain that Rebecca is not the model of niceness to her while we are gone (as she certainly is not while we are home!), the notes crack me up. Today, for your viewing and reading pleasure, I publish the latest such note! (click on the note for a better view)
In case you are having trouble with the creative spelling, I will now translate for you (text in parenthesis is added by me):
Dear Mom,
Rebecca won't let me call you. (good!) I've been crying for a long time and since I am crying so much, my face is turning very red! (notice: she had enough time in the little show to check out her own face) Next time, I want you to take me.
Love,
Rachel.
P.S. Come down soon (her room is in the basement and she always wants us to come and see her as soon as we get home) and Rebecca is making fun of me because I am sad. (BAD REBECCA! Can't you be nice to your sister?)
Isn't that just precious? I think my favorite part is the drawing of a sad face, with the note attached saying "This is my face now."
Oh, the drama!
thanks for the laugh Gregg. That is very funny. It seems as though you are very concerned about Rachel's crying while you and Diane are out:)
I can't wait till Marissa is old enough to babysit Mason (about 5 more yrs) and maybe I will get the same drama in my house. Not sure if it will be as dramatic though since he's a boy. I guess we'll find out soon enough....
Posted by: Sarah | November 13, 2009 at 09:02 AM
That is hysterical. You could have boys in which case there would be red faces because of the smacking going on.
Posted by: Mel | November 13, 2009 at 11:40 AM
When we had Son #1 babysitting his two brothers, I would get them all in a room together before we left and say something like, "#1, you're in charge, and tomorrow I'll ask you how it went. However, I'll also be getting a report from your brothers, so don't DARE think about abusing your authority!"
Never had any problems.
Posted by: Kathy G | November 13, 2009 at 02:10 PM
that is so very funny. gota love those kids.
Posted by: kaye | November 13, 2009 at 10:03 PM
I think Rachel is giving Rebecca some of what Rebecca also did. Your girls are different, but they are exactly the same with going to bed. Rebecca also got very sad and would cry, "I miss my Mommy" when she'd go to bed. The diffeence is, Grandma would talk them out of it and read till they felt better or fell asleep. Both girls needed me in the room till they went to sleep, ugh. So Rebecca, it is pay back time.
Posted by: Gregg's Mom | November 16, 2009 at 09:09 AM
love it! my wife and i always say we're in the perfect position. we have a daughter that was six when we had our triplets. at some point, the babies (now two) will be built in playmates and the older daughter (now six) will be the built-in babysitter.
nice work!
Posted by: john cave osborne | November 17, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Hey, Gregg. Thanks for your comment today. It's a Canon G11. Not a cheepie but full manual control available and terrific image quality.
Posted by: Bob Crowe | November 21, 2009 at 09:17 AM
This is great! I fully expect the same when my drama queen can put all her words in print!
Posted by: Kimberly | November 21, 2009 at 09:16 PM
I love it Gregg! I have a drama queen at home myself! Gotta love our girls!
Posted by: Christina | December 14, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Oh wow, this made me howl with laughter. As the oldest of two daughters, I was often roped into babysitting, and it is a documented fact that younger siblings recognize no authority in their older siblings. I can only imagine where your older daughter was while the younger one was writing this. Probably somewhere throwing her hands in the air hahaha.
Posted by: Kate | December 27, 2009 at 02:27 PM