Mom, can I ditch school tomorrow?
I can't believe my 15-year old daughter asked me this question today. It's not like she's sick or that we have something going on (like have out of town guests, or plan on driving someplace to visit people ...)
She just wanted to ditch school tomorrow so she and her 2 other teenage girl friends can go and eat breakfast out and watch movies in our local mall. Hello! You can't do that! I mean, I guess you could but I won't let you.
I explained to her in my most calm way - that I do not and will not tolerate ditching school just so that she can hang with her girlfriends - plus, I was supposed to drive them around. Yeah right - like that's going to happen. She didn't take it pretty well and I am sure she thinks I am the meanest mom ever and not her very favorite person right now. I could over-hear her talking on the phone - trying to explain to her friends that her mom won't let her ditch school. I told her, if she had a problem telling her friends then, I wouldn't have a problem telling them that! I can't believe their moms will allow them to ditch school - I wonder if their moms actually know.
I feel bad for popping her dream bubble - but, what can I do. I know I won't always be COOL mom - actually, more often I know my kids think I am MEAN mom.
She just wanted to ditch school tomorrow so she and her 2 other teenage girl friends can go and eat breakfast out and watch movies in our local mall. Hello! You can't do that! I mean, I guess you could but I won't let you.
I explained to her in my most calm way - that I do not and will not tolerate ditching school just so that she can hang with her girlfriends - plus, I was supposed to drive them around. Yeah right - like that's going to happen. She didn't take it pretty well and I am sure she thinks I am the meanest mom ever and not her very favorite person right now. I could over-hear her talking on the phone - trying to explain to her friends that her mom won't let her ditch school. I told her, if she had a problem telling her friends then, I wouldn't have a problem telling them that! I can't believe their moms will allow them to ditch school - I wonder if their moms actually know.
I feel bad for popping her dream bubble - but, what can I do. I know I won't always be COOL mom - actually, more often I know my kids think I am MEAN mom.
posted by MarieY at 11:28 PM
NEW! 
9 Comments:
She may think you're mean now but will thank you for it in the future. Being a cool mom doesn't involve letting kids get out of their responsibilities, so you're doing the right thing.
I ditched first period in high school and went to breakfast with my friends ALL the time (we had a teacher who didn't even know if we were there - plus it was Spanish and I already know Spanish, LOL)
My parents never knew about it though. In a way it's good that your daugther trust's you enough to actually tell you things like that rather than just doing it.
Well, I applaud your Daughter for asking you about it rather than just doing it. I hope you told her you were proud she ASKED then explained why it wasnt possible for her to ditch :)
Here in DC the parents can be hauled into court if the child is "Truant" so I can see why you didn't allow her to skip.
I will admit I've let my Daughters stay home on a 1/2 they had one Friday before the Holidays. But that was a circumstance where 2 of the teachers were gone and they literally were watching movies all day.
When my son informs me that I'm being mean, I respond with "Good than, I'm doing my job!"
Thanks Mila - I so really needed to read that!
Aurelia - yes, I did tell her that I am proud and happy and I appreciate that she asked me permission. You know, I think I am doing a pretty good job raising my teens.
Rona - I like that - I will have to use that because my kids often say that I am mean.
Oh boy - I'm sure one day my girls will come to me with the same question and I'll do the same thing you did. I will also be taken back that they even ask, but hey, why not give it a try right? I also think you're doing a pretty good job Mariey - like you said, the fact that she asked you instead of just sneaking off to do it shows something.
She IS a good daughter for having asked LOL! I never ditched school because I was homeschooled from 8th grade on. But when I was in grammar school my Mom would keep me home sometimes so we could go shopping or to the movies. She was bad ;)
Awww lighten up! Im 13, I ditch all the time! I ditched today, also depending on your school district, some schools may not call home. Most schools will call home after 3 or 4 days of absentness to see whats going on! I am B student. I would let her ditch as long as she kept a c+ avg. Make sure she doesnt miss 20% of the school year or she will be "truant". If you are "truant" enough the parents could end up in jail if thier child doesnt start going to school.
Have fun hope you enjoyed this tip!
Please, as a college student i can understand your daughter. I know in my case the pressure to succeed caused such gread stress i would be physically sick. So, you should definetly let her have a day or two off a year. No one wants to be the mean mom or the push over mom, just try to meet the two somewhere in the middle.
my mom does not know that i used to ditch scool with my boyfriend its not like we did anything, but as i started to think about it i started to mess up on everything like my grades so when my boyfriend said we should ditch again i said no and he dumped me and said that he only dates girls that ditch with him. thats when i relized i need to find someone who will not make me ditch w/ him.
lizzy
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