[lucyjoy]

When your kids call you on the phone and all you can think is "What do you want from me now?" I hate feeling this way but honestly, I just spent 15 min on the phone with R who called to offer to help on one of the houses tomorrow and I'll I thought was, "okay, does he want to make sure I don't sink him in court Fri? Is he sucking up in hopes of a good Christmas gift?" Sad that our relationship has become that way.

Sadder yet, my thoughts for Christmas shopping are $10 Walmart gift cards cuz if they don't show up, I can use them for groceries. Sad.

[zebramom]

Right there with you Lucy. The only time I hear from T is when he wants something.

I love the Wal-Mart gift card idea. Buy yourself some new clothes, or a nice piece of jewelry when they don't show!!!

[Lorraine123]

It is very sad. Whenever my daughter is nice to me, I think "what did you do" or "what do you want". Its not a fun relationship and it makes me sad....

[cpipitone]

Sad, and so familiar.

A phone call from DD usually means she is faking sick at school. I pity the day she is actually sick because I will no longer take her calls or pick her up. She's cried wolf one too many times and I have missed important meetings and been put in very awkward positions because she didn't want to take a test or because she wanted to hurry home to put on her new uniform for the first day of soccer practice. She just didn't get that if she is too sick to be at school, she was too sick to go to her first day of soccer. She still didn't learn.

I feel like such a creep, and that doesn't make it any easier to try to always approach her with love and understanding. I fail quite often.

[HIATUS]

i think if a person has a suspicious nature it can be hard. i use to be like that..this is what i do. and it helps. i make a conscious effort EACH time im approached or called, i tell myself this person may not want anything from me at all..it takes practice...its that whole beginners mind thing. and it can set ya free.

[Kerbchek]

while that's good advice... I also have a cell phone... if I see it's somebody who does this, or an unfamiliar number, I just let the voicemail get it. I listen to the message to see if they told me what they wanted, process the information I leanred then call them back when I'm ready... if they don't leave a message, I still just call them back when I'm ready...

... on another note, it gets me in my heart when J says "dad, please, dad" - he's trying to get me and I have to give him that "don't mess with me, I know you're faking affection" look - it makes me sad that he thinks calling me "dad" will get me to let him have his way... it's not been a huge issue usually - but those RADish tendancies freak me out... I just hope things keep going as well as they have been... he's been doing pretty well lately... (is there a "fingers crossed" or "knock on wood" smiley?)