Between the Worlds: Parenting Fun

At 9:39 a.m., my son wanted to know if he could ride his bike down the street to see his friend.? "Sure," I told him, "as long as his family is up.? But if he isn't ready to play, come straight home."

He came back several minutes later to ask if his friend could come over to play.? "Sure,"I told him, "as long as I'm dressed."


He asked when that would be and I said, "The usual time.? By 11 a.m.? That's only an hour from now.? I want to change my clothes and do the dishes before your friend comes over."

What did he do?? Went out and brought his friend home anyway.? Yeesh!? I told him that there was no way I was putting our caique back in his cage, just so his friend could come in.? So their only options were to play outdoors, play at his friend's house, or go up to my son's room and close the door.?

We're going to set down an absolute rule: "Friends may come over between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.? Sleepovers are an exception."

When I get up in the morning, I put on some bumming-around-the-house attire: pajamas, sweatpants or shorts and a t-shirt.? I sit down to eat breakfast and check my email, read blogs, check DeviantArt and FurAffinity (furry fandom site - I don't wear fur!), and read the few forums of which I'm a member.

Then I do the dishes and my housework for the day.? I follow a schedule, which makes it easier.? My son does his schooling in the morning as well, so 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. is very much focused on the home and family.

By 11 a.m., the house is clean, homeschooling is done, and I am dressed (or getting dressed).?

At no point before 11 do I want another person in my house.? Even on weekends.? :P

Another thing that got me today was when my son said, "You know... I might need a cell phone."

I looked at him and cried incredulously, "For what?!"

"So you can call me."

I must admit that made me laugh.? Then I said, "You are too young for a cell phone.? You don't go far enough away for me to have to call you.? If I want you to come home, I'll walk down the street and get you, or set the alarm on your watch."

My guess is that he thinks he should have a cell phone, because his 8-year-old friend has one.? Sorry.? Not going to happen.? I still grumble over the fact that his father bought him an iPod Touch when he was only 7.

The child doesn't need electronics.? He needs Legos, books, and encouragement to use his imagination!

Copyright (c) 2011 Wendy L. Callahan

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