Mother Planet

The trials and tribulations - the highs and lows - the good and the bad....... of a menopausal single mother and a hormonal teenage daughter. Some combinations just should'nt mix.........

[motherplanet]

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?

Today that would be my necklaces hanging on a stand.  They look amazing?  And yours?

[motherplanet]

Can you have fun while shopping with your teenage daughter?

I'm sure there are plenty of mums who have fun while shopping with Miss Teenager, but I'm not one of them. For junior daughter to have fun my wallet would have to be overflowing with unlimited funds, which I might add its not (well whose is!) She could then pick what ever she wanted with no regard whatsoever as to whether the item would actually get worn! As long as the purchase is made, no problem. Carrying the branded bags around is great. How cool that looks, everyone who sees her (well of a certain age anyway!) would be soooo envious. Junior daughter can straighten her back, flick her hair and look amazingly with it and cool. But how often is she really going to wear those 6'' (sorry this ancient brain doesn't know the metric measurement!) maroon suede stilettos? Seriously she's at school 5 days a week! Would look great with her Year 9 uniform don't you think! A few more years until serious partying begins. (I'm secretly hoping never), so just don't see those shoes getting much wear! But what would I know, I'm only her mother (and still living in ancient times according to her) Mmm I think I've missed the point somewhere. Apparently buying stuff (by that I mean clothes, shoes, make-up and hair stuff of course!) is the game, paying for it (well that's what parents are for isn't it?) and wearing/using it is irrelevant. What are our teenage daughters turning into! Do they truly think HOW they look is all that matters? Where are the values instilled in them from babies - it's who you are on the inside that counts. Hopefully one day this will resurface and mums (including me) can once again put fun back into shopping with their daughters, even if the wallet is lacking in funds, it's the looking that's the best part. Now where that glass of wine? Has been a long, emotional day - thats shopping with your teenage daughter for you!

[motherplanet]

Where did all the Internet go?

Just checked my latest Internet bill and discovered junior daughter and I have used around 700mb extra data usage for the month. Now you'd think 700mb is not much - well think again!! Our 5g plan costs $50, but 700mb extra costs $76. Wow how did they work that out? 'Excess data is charged at discounted rates' DISCOUNTED - I don't think so. They should say excess data is charged at excessive rates. At least that would be TRUE! So will be having another word with junior daughter regarding the amount of time she must be on the Internet. Surely she could read a book for a change! Maybe even clean her room or unpack the dishwasher. Well I can dream can't I? As for the Internet provider. Don't think they are going to last much longer. Time to get on my computer (before the 5g runs out). And find a new, better and cheaper provider. And to you big Australian Internet provider, that's one more customer you've lost....

[motherplanet]

And so to work......

An opportunity has arisen at a local video (are they really still called that?  who has videos anymore anyway?) (dvd/blue ray) shop for a junior staff member.  I suggested to junior daughter aged 13 11/12 ( so actually nearly 19!) that perhaps she might to apply for it job as big sister had worked there while at high school.  Junior daughter was keen at the thought initially and had me ask the very personable young man behind the counter for an application form!  Way too shy to speak for herself!!  (mmm  how does she plan on speaking to real people asking video questions??)  Anyway after a few suggestions from Mother Planet on what sort of information a resume' may contain, junior daughter trashed the application form and said she did'nt care anyway......  Does this sound a little bit familiar by now....

That was the end of that............  but no it was'nt.  How wrong could I be?   Big sister paid a visit and happened to mention how much money could be made by working 7 hours a week.    Well...... that caused a bit of a shift.  Money, the almighty dollar....  So back to the video (dvd) shop with MP checking in and apologising for "accidently" throwing away the original application form and could we please have another.  Understanding young man was happy to oblige.  Junior daughter went back to the drawing board and spend several hours producing a resume - after all what can you say at 13 11/12 and no previous work experience?

She diligently managed to complete a full half page using big print and produced a workable resume, dating back to grade 1.  The relevance of this will go a long way to ensuring a successful job application ......   Finally the resume and the completed application form are ready to be dropped off.  Or so I thought......   A two hour (or so it seemed) shower ensued and then another hour doing hair, getting dressed, applying makeup and preening and with the assurance that she was in fact ready, off we went to the video (dvd) shop.

No she did'nt need me to come in with her, so amazed I sat in the car and waited while I peered through thewindow wondering what was being said during the 30 second conversation,  but I am so proud when junior daughter gets back in the car.  "Well" I say, "what did she say?"  "Nothing" was the reply.  "Nothing" I repeat, but I saw lips moving, an exchange of words....  "Yeah, she just wanted to check what Grade I'm in".  Big relief - so the job had'nt been filled and she has a great chance of getting it.... Fingers and toes crossed and mega positive thinking - a after school for her would be fantastic - not the money, but the responsibility, the reality..

Oh well, I know my daughter would be a fantastic video (dvd) shop worker and the fact she overcame her fear and faced it anyway makes me very proud.  She is growing up so quickly, sometimes I feel left behind.   I am 100 percent sure the video (dvd) shop lady will see that she would be perfect for the job.......

[motherplanet]

LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY - IT IS AS SIMPLE AND AS DIFFICULT AS THAT!