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Sunday
Jan112009
Keystone parents
Sometimes I'm worried about who's minding the nest around here.
Last night was one of those weekend evenings where everyone in the house was headed for different activities: G and Maddy to her basketball practice, Lauren at fencing and then a school dance, Sam here with me. Later G and I headed to a movie and Maddy and Sam stayed home together.
When we got home just before 11 all the lights in the house were ablaze. (Maddy does that when she babysits.) We checked in on Maddy in her bedroom, kissed her good night, and headed to our room to read and wait for Lauren.
me: What time does the dance end?
G: Hmmm....I don't know. The usual 11?
me: Maybe this is something we should find out next time?
G: Sounds good.
We read.
11:30 We text Lauren "when will you be home"? No response, although she said she wouldn't have her phone with her during the dance so we're not too concerned.
{maybe the dance goes until midnight? didn't she say she didn't need a ride home?}
We read. I snooze a little and wake up "Isn't she home yet?"
12:15 We text her again. "time to come home...when will you be here?"
Still nothing.
{it starts to be time to be worried. Should we call her friends' parents? She was getting a ride home with A, right? We debate calling A's parents}
This is so unlike her! We haven't even had to talk about curfews yet.
We fret, we stew, we wait--confident in Lauren's good head on her shoulders but increasingly worried and puzzled.
1:00 (I know!) Greg grabs his phone and heads downstairs to call around. First he tries one more phone call to Lauren.
{I start to envision walking through the streets and alleys, calling Lauren's name. A sleepless night in a hospital waiting room. Her face on a milk carton with one of those sketches of what she'd look like, 5 years older. Oh, Lauren! I'm really good at working up a good worry, can you tell?}
Bzzzzzzzzzt. I hear a phone vibrating nearby so I get up to check it out. Maybe Lauren's finally calling us back.
Bzzzzzzzzzt. It's coming from Lauren's room...what? Shoot! Did she leave her phone home?
Bzzzzzzzzzt. I open the door to a drowsy Lauren fumbling to answer her phone.
Oh, hello!!
So she was home the whole time, got home from the dance before we got home from our movie. G had looked in her room but it was dark and he didn't see her. So, so funny. Yes, we waited up two hours for a daughter who was already home.
That's us, the keystone parents, reporting for duty...
{Although this morning we had a little talk with Lauren about the principle of checking in with the parents when you come home, leaving a note to say "I'm home" or saying hi when we get home.}
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Reader Comments (13)
i expect more from the guy who nearly beat up random italian men for looking in her direction. or something like that.
Oh, Annie. This brings to mind a story from my past. It is about my brother John. He was juggling two girlfriends, trying to keep them both happy and unaware of his "devotion" to each. Sue and Sonja were aware that he had dated the other, but each thought he had broken it off.It was the night before he was leaving (for a summer job? for his mission?) so he had to finesse saying proper, ahem, good-byes to them both and make each one think he was paying them proper attention and time. It took hours for him to say good-bye. Meanwhile, my parents are looking at the clock. Midnight. 12:30, 1:00 a.m. Mother started getting very worried, so she CALLS BOTH girls, which totally blew his cover, because each one knew that he wasn't with them that late. Neither girl had seen him for several hours. So by 1:45, Mom is frantic and decides to call the police. She had checked his bedroom in the dark earlier, by feeling around on his mattress. But the police told her to check once more in his bed. She turned the light on and there he was, asleep. He had returned at 11:00 p.m. but hadn't checked in with Mom and Dad. His punishment for getting home early w/o checking in was that both girlfriends were aware that he had spent time with the other. They were both quite upset. :-> Lesson learned?
Bwwaahhh! Hilarious! Stellar parenting job there. Hee hee hee.
Trying hard not to laugh.
This made me smile. You must have both been frantic with worry. I am glad she was safe in bed in the end. Thanks for sharing your story and for the warning!
Lindsay
I've been in that situation before. What great relief washes over us when we discover our child is safe and sound. When it's all over it's rather funny, you know, I'm just sayin.
WHEW! I was starting to get a sick feeling in my gut. Did you also lecture G on his "checking" skills. "You always look under the blankets too." I have to tell my kids that ALL the time. Glad she is safe. PS You are stellar parents! You have very responsible kids.
THAT is a terrific story.
She'll probably blog about it someday... (hee, hee)
I still think you're great parents.
;)
I was starting to panic for you...too funny!
Jen
That is so funny! Glad she's OK.
I read your tweet today and am so excited and nervous for you for tomorrow. You'll do great!
Too funny. LOVE the photo!
Love the picture and the analogy.
that picture is priceless!
that said...we did the same stinkin' thing a few weeks ago. It's hard to keep track of these teenagers of ours.
I totally understand how your imagination runs away with you. I've pictured the most horrible scenarios while waiting for those midnight calls. This was a funny story, and the picture is priceless.