Same playing field 0
My friend’s 15 year-old daughter just told me on the phone, “oh my god, my mother is insane, you have to do something.” I bit the inside of my cheek, tried to hold back the laughs until I spurt out, “Oh, honey, get used to it. You’ve got about another 40 years before relief is in sight.”
Then I realized Kaylene saw me as some sort of responsible adult figure that could reason with her mother. That made me laugh harder. I mean, Kaylene could be my child if I had failed birth control in my 20s. Instead, she’s treating me as her peer which is something her mother wants more.
Kaylene proceeded to explain that her mother wants her and her two younger brothers to go on a “stupid family hike.” She doesn’t want to go. She wants to go to the mall to see some friends.
“And will there be boys at the mall?” I asked. She explained that a guy she likes is going to be there.
“Wow. That’s cool. I just went to this outdoor mall yesterday on a date with a guy. We had fun,” I explained.
I’m calling back in a few hours to distract her mother with my good mall date story. Forced family activities are a dime a dozen. Meeting a good guy at the mall is priceless.
I have to intervene.