A Date With C

I went out for lunch with C today. This doesn't feel as special as when I take E or L out separately. Not that she isn't great to hang out with, but we had several years together when E and L were in school, so I feel like she's gotten a lot of my attention. E and L have had to share from day 1. However, she managed to cut me off at the knees after lunch. Conversation:

Listening to the Pinkalicious CD in the car. Pinkalicious is a spoiled brat, but the music from the play is great. She has a younger brother who is basically ignored through the whole play because he has not turned pink from eating pink foods. Also, he seems like a pretty nice kid.

C: "They don't listen to Peter because he's the littlest."

Me [hemorrhaging onto the floor from the knife to my chest]: "Do you think we don't listen to you because you're the littlest?"

C, simply, like she's stating a fact, not whining or complaining: "Yes."

GAH. The thing is, I was the littlest and I felt the same way. So I am QUITE AWARE of her and try so hard to make sure I hear her thoughts, the ones that are not as mature or well thought out as her older sisters so they tend to get lost in the flow of family conversation. But it doesn't really matter what I do if her perception is that she is not heard. *sigh*

I did not flop onto the floor of the car, lamenting my incompetent parenting although I kind of wanted to. I did tell her that I want to listen to her and if she feels like I'm not, please say, "Mama, will you please listen to me?" or something similar. And I will redouble my efforts to hear her without her asking.

Other than that (and, frankly, that is one of the main reasons we've been trying to take the kids out for one-on-one time), we had a great time. We ate lunch at The Olive Garden (her choice) and got frozen yogurt afterward. We picked up a new family member and ran a couple errands because I cannot resist the urge to be efficient. It was fun and as I was giving her a bath later, she said, "I had a fun time on our date today!" 

P.S. Speaking of E, I used a bun maker on E and it turned out so cute! I think I'm finally get the hang of fancy hair. Not that I could do it on myself, of course.

Comments

[Tracy]

well, I don't know about phone, but I'm trying feedly first. So far, not sure if I like it. But it did import all my subscriptions or something like that, so that's a plus.

[Pam]

Boy do I know about being the youngest. I am 42 and they STILL don't listen to me! Ha ha.

[el-e-e]

I want to do these "dates" with my kids but I haven't been able to figure out how, yet. I'm impressed with how much you do them.

I just imported all my subscriptions to NetVibes. Seems like it was perfectly seamless. I'd do it soon before some of the free services start charging (Lifehacker said one, NewsBlur, had suspended free accounts with all its new traffic).