378. On the spur of the moment

Everybody (minus Miss Organiser who has quit organising and is living the tropical island life) is home for Christmas.

Baby and I have great difficulties to adjust. Baby is not the spoiled brat anymore (this is how siblings see her these days) and my peaceful days are over. I have to fight about what game to play, what movie to watch, the menu, who goes shopping, who cooks what. It is exhausting.

'Mum! Dad! It's like you've given up on parental duties.'

'Yes, I mean Baby doesn't even need to ask to go out, she just tells you!'

'Where has the parental authority gone?'

'Yes. Have you given up or something?'

'Do you realise the serious consequences this could have?'

'Did you read her school report? I bet I had better grades!'

My son hesitates here. Baby is out again, it is true that she is always going out. To see friends, to the cinema, to the bar. 

'Do you know what time she got in last night?'

Of course we don't.

'12:00. On the dot.'

'Yeah. Right.'

We look at each other. We do not know because we do not sit up anymore. We send her a text to see if everything is ok to which she invariably replies that everything is ok and we should not worry. So we don't and go to bed.

'You've turned into some kind of hippy parents!'

We look at each other. I do not think my husband can pass for a hippy but I, with my long grey hair, my worn jeans and my polo neck lambswool jumper ... On top of that the music that is playing right now is a bit of a give away. Did I ever tell them I wanted to raise goats and make yogurts and cheese out of their milk?

I cannot believe we are getting a lecture by these two on how to bring Baby up! 

These two head upstairs mumbling to each other about how standards have dropped so dramatically over such a very short period of time.

My husband goes out for a walk with the dog. His usual escape route. I am left alone in the house and I decide to change my hairstyle. Away with the messy buns, and the long plaits and the childish ponytails. I ring my favourite hair stylist.