Last To Know

How many parents out there are in my position of being the last to know.
I do not talk much about my youngest daughter mainly because I don't know much as she is so damned private. She came over Wednesday to wish me a Happy Birthday and during her visit she announced that she was getting excited as her trip to South Africa is getting close. The rest of the conversation went like this: "What trip to South Africa?" I told you Dad, Helen Ramsey and I are going to South Africa for 3 weeks. No you didn't. Yes I did. When did you tell me. The last time we talked. Oh, the last time we talked was at the beginning of August and the conversation lasted about 30 sec. with absolutely no mention of a trip anywhere. Oh. I thought I told you. It must have been someone else. Does your Mom and sister know? Yeah. Great the rest of the Family knows half the population of the country more than likely knows and I'm just your Dad so why bother telling me. Bloody Great. I hope you get mauled by a Lion. Hell even then I'll be the last to know. Gee thanks alot Dad. I have to go now. OK. have a great trip and bring me back a Tee shirt. Love yah. Love yah too Dad. Bye.


Camac.

PS. Shan is kind of my favourite.

Count me in!

My kids do this to me all time.

stevenpd;

I am fortunate or unfortunate in that I have two grls and I am not much up on how boys handle their parents. I do know that the odd time all of us, including their Mother, my Ex, get together they are off in the corner talking like there is no to-morrow and when I ask what's going on, the answer is inevitably "just girl talk Dad". I tell you when it comes to what is going on in their lives I'm a Mushroom: kept in the dark an fed manure. Is this a world wide conspiracy against Fathers or am I being punished for sins of a past life. I swear I'll be dead and buried for a week and they will only know about it when they get the bill from the undertaker. Then they will be all upset because they were the last to know. Ain't revenge sweet.


Camac

Camac,

It is the same for both. The problem that my kids have is that I (still) have a good memory. They usually lose the argument. It also helps to rant and rave a little about it at the time too. Never show weakness even if you are wrong.

stevenpd.

Agreed never show weakness. Turns kids into ravaging wolves. As I keep telling them "I am not always right but I am never wrong or I'm your Father you have to listen to me. " How about "you wouldn't be here except for me." I really don't think it is asking to much to be informed about the big things. I really don't want to know about the minutia of their lives.


Camac.

Two of my favorite phrases are "Welcome to reality!" & "I brought you into this world and I can take you out too."

stevenpd;

My youngest, Shannon (33) has always marched to the beat of a different drummer
and that's fine. That is until her drummer started beating louder than mine. This as you may surmise started at the age of two, the Terrible Twos, and by the time they reach 4 children should have outgrown it, usually. Shan went from the Terrible Twos to Rebelious Teen with no pause in between. I use to accuse her Mother of having an affair with Lucifer and the product was Shan. I would walk around almost daily mumbling "I'm gonna kill her" or I'd ask her "How old are you now Shan?" she'd answer to which I'd reply " enjoy it because you are not going to see your next Birthday, I'm gonna kill ya". When she was fourteen she and two friends were arrested for shoplifting. I was called to the store and when I walked in the Police were there. I was told what she had done and I turned to the Constable and said "Throw her in Jail. That'll teach her". It took two constables about an half hour to talk me out of it and take her home. The only thing I could think of to say at the time was your lucky your Gandma passed away because she would be really upset. All Shan could say was "Are you going to tell Grandpa?" My Mom and Dad were the only ones she would pay attention to. My Dad went to his grave not knowing about the incident as I never told him. If you had known Shan in those days you would not recognize her now for she has grown ito a beautiful hard working honest young woman. Still doesn't talk much but I love her.


Camac.