Mother’s day turned sour

I am angry. In fact I just want to be left alone. Not bothered by anyone. I’m sitting downstairs with the intention of doing some work. It’s quiet, with the exception of Sebastian’s snoring. Just moments ago things were not so quiet. Victoria’s special assignment ends up in the pond. She has a presentation next week about Games. Luckily she manages to find another copy which she brings downstairs. I go through it, but there are a lot of details missing to it. So I write down a question and answer structure. Questions for herselves that she should know the answer to. But also for the audience to challenge their knowledge. She gets angry with me. Starts screaming, even though Sebastian is asleep. He stirs in his pram. I get upset too but lower my voice. Victoria dashes upstairs. I come after her. I am angry, for the lack of respect she is showing us. On top of this it’s Mother’s Day, although it is a day that means very little to me. Who has respects for their parents nowadays?

Upstairs Victoria does her utmost to take on a vindictive and almost spiteful look. It makes me furious. I’m holding her assignment in my hands, and I tell her she doesn’t deserve my help. She doesn’t care she says. That’s it, I tear it up. Done, now deal with your homework. In fact I don’t do this out of fury. But to corner her. She has it all saved on her computer, but she will need to ask Reinout to print it for her. I don’t want to make it easy for her. Easy is in the past. What she needs is hard work and discipline.

I leave telling her she doesn’t even know how lucky she is. Yesterday, we she got new Converse and Anne Frank’s diary. As we were at the hairdresser she also got her hair styled and highlighted. Things come too easy to her. I’m convinced. And when it does, complacency sets in. Hopefully a torn up assignment will help her re-assess her priorities. At least for today….