Child Supervision

Yesterday, Kali stayed home from school because she hadn’t been feeling well and we had an annoying ice storm the night before. I still had to go to school yesterday, and Donny sleeps during the day because he’s working nights for the next few months.

Before I left for class, I made her two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, got her a glass of juice and put on a movie for her.

“By the time the movie is done, Mommy should be home.”  Total lie.

I called her on my way to Spanish class. Everything was fine. I called her on my way to Precalc. from Spanish class and got this…

Kali: Hello?

Nina: Hi, Kali. Whatcha doing?

Kali: I’m fine. I’m watching t.v. and my Dad is upstairs sleeping, my Mom isn’t home and there’s no one taking care of me.

I nearly drove off the road.

Nina: Kali! This is your mother! You don’t tell people that!

Kali: (completely nonplussed): Oh, hi Mom. I’m so bored. When are you coming home?

She didn’t even have the decency to say, “My Mom’s not home because she’s out getting an education and Daddy is sleeping because he works 14 hour nights to provide this nice home for us.” Noooo, she just made it seem like I was out galavanting in the middle of the day.  As Mike put it, she did everything but include the address, security code, and the sage advice, “Oh, and our neighbors are at work so no one will see you when you get here to kidnap me.”

I call Tara from outside of math class and she offers to call Kali back and test her.  I’m proud to say that Kali didn’t give up any information this time.  Tara was just about to lay the smarmy charm on extra thick when Donny could be heard in the background, “Kali, who are you talking to?”

Tara: Ok, Kali. I gotta go, bye!!

I fully expected “the people” to be waiting for me when I got home with a court order and two minutes to say goodbye to my child.