Parents came in on Thursday for a short visit. Together time at the house, followed by an Indian dinner at Dawaat (divine!) and a stroll through lights at the botanical gardens were a perfect combo.
Friday's Christmas Eve was leisurely, except for one daring expedition into the insane rush of traffic. After braving the roads for a couple of last minute things--Merlot and a bottle of Bailey's to go with the next morning's Christmas coffee--I knew home was the right place for me. I had also waited in Starbucks for 20 minutes only to find they omitted the peppermint from my peppermint mocha. When you're dumb enough to pay $4 for a freaking cup of coffee, you feel like even more of an idiot when you find out you didn't get what you really wanted.
Back at home in a cheerfully devious spirit, I concocted a fabulous family Christmas letter (mocking all Christmas letters sent with misspelled words, incorrect grammar, famously boring details, inappropriate financial information, bragging about kids and accomplishments, etc.). The intended audience was family and close friends. I think they enjoyed it.
Christmas was lovely. Husband and I decided on bikes for each other so we could have another choice in our recreational outdoor pursuits. I'm happy with that. Although I feel that Husband would secretly enjoy more fishing paraphernalia, I think we'll enjoy our time together on trails and quiet streets.
It was lovely up until this evening when I saw a notice that my next Verizon bill is over $400. Wait...four what? I was sure there was a reasonable explanation for all this, like Verizon majorly messed something up.
Except Verizon didn't mess up. My 14 year old has apparently been ordering adult films after school in the hour he is alone before we get home. I'm talking 18 of them in the past 25 days.
If you laugh, I'll kill you. It's not funny. I'm not only so upset I can't even express myself, but I'm scared. What kind of house is this? Don't tell me it's normal. It's not normal for my house. What's worse? The lying about it? The bill? The fact that my kid is watching pornography--a LOT of it?
We're currently trying to see what parts of his opulent Christmas can be returned to the store to raise the money he needs to pay that little bill. I'm truly disappointed and am wondering who this kid is living here.
Looking at the larger picture, with so many people in the world and even in our own community not knowing where that next meal will come from, I know it's all small potatoes. I'm grateful for what we have and don't forget that for a minute. Still, having your trust betrayed is a real bitch, especially when you're worried about someone you love growing into a responsible and successful young man.
It's not the kind of ending I was hoping for this Christmas Day, but I give thanks for the abundance we do have in our lives. There's a lot to appreciate.
9 comments:
That's a tricky one, Mixy, to add to your festive season's problem-solving list. Paying the bill from his own resources is a good idea. PS porn is very healthy for young chaps, but he needs the skills to find free porn, or exercise the imagination.
I think that's pretty normal behaviour for most 14 year olds. don't worry - he'll most likely grown out of it before 75
Well, most of your Christmas sounded delightful. Sorry to hear your son has entered the raging hormone years. Isn't there a way you can set parental blocks on your computer? I'm sure Verizon could tell you how to do it. Meanwhile, oh yeah -- he's got to feel the pain in his pocketbook. If he thinks he's man enough to watch porn, then he's man enough to pay for it.
Happy New Year!
Wow, that's awful...however, making him pay it is a good step. Whenever my kids did something stupid or careless, I made them pay the financial restitution even if it was minimal...like $50 for a school calculator that he had in his back pocket and fell off his bike. I realize I am a hard ass at times, but I really think it has helped somewaht with personal responsibility. Do you have a parental block/pass word so they he cannot access pay items on your tv? Hope things get better. P.S. The hormone part is normal.
Merry Christmas!
I agree with Mitzi G Burger and nursemyra... And I definately agree with everyone that making him pay this huge bill from his own resources is the way to go! And I know you said you didn't want to hear us say it's normal, but isn't it? Personally, I find the irresponcibility of such reckless spending to be a worse thing. I'm thinking one needs to learn to satisfy their needs without hurting other people's feelings... lol Okay, enough with me sayingt hings you don't want to hear! You can cross it all out with an imaginary pen!
P.S. As for your super kind comment on my latest post, the answer is yes! Of course, you can! I'm totally flattered an idea like that even crossed your mind :D
Normal 14 yr. old in the technological age = trouble. Could be he didn't know how much he was spending, but he should have to pay for it none-the-less.
The rest of your Christmas sounds great. Especially enjoyed hearing about Flanders.
I was in North Carolina where we got a beautiful snow fall over the weekend. I'll post a few photos at my place sometime this week. Happy New Year!
Yes, you do have many things to be blessed about. I say affirmation out loud each day along with prayers. I have prosperity and love and health and a great life. Like a magnet the universe sends those things b/c I believe it.
Oh my, is D-Man still alive? Is he working hard to pay off the Verizon bill? Curiosity at his age is normal but 18 times curious? Ouch. That's expensive.
D-Man would have a hard time accessing porn in our house. Neither Scott or I can figure out how to unlock the Verizon parental controls.
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