She Said It, Not Me
September 11th, 2006
Minutes after getting in trouble for sneaking 11-month-old Halloween candy that had been hidden on our highest shelf, Eugenia asked me when I would let her paint her own fingernails. Sensing a teaching opportunity, I said, “Well, honey, when you’re old enough that I can trust you.”
“When will that be?”
“That depends on you.” I silently congratulated myself for having seized the moment. “It depends on how soon you show me that you can be responsible and clean up after yourself.” I wondered if her improved behavior would begin immediately or merely within days.
“I’m going to be TWENTY-NINE,” she said bitterly.
Well. That’s something to look forward to.
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3 Comments Add your own
1. Susan | September 13th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Ha! Ha! We are going through the exact same thing with our almost-sixteen year old. When will we be able to trust to her to make completely rational, safe, reasonable decisions? Probably when she’s about twenty nine. I hate to tell you I think your girl is absolutely spot-on.
2. Erin | September 16th, 2006 at 4:03 pm
I’m going to be twenty-nine this year, and I hope that on that magic day I will make responsible and rational decisions- and maybe even clean up after myself. Good luck to Eug! I love you all.
3. Michael Heggen | September 20th, 2006 at 7:22 am
I’m 38 and I still…
Oh, never mind.
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