Clash of the Titans

Soccer season has begun. The kids were enjoying the playground before Makayla's first game.

Monday was quite the day. Makayla couldn't figure out some problems on her homework.I tried to help, without giving her the answers, like she wanted. Finally, she walks away and says oh well, I'll just use my homework pass. I frowned. What are you going to do the next time you're stuck on your homework? A shrug. Makayla, you're just giving up. Maybe take a break and come back and try again. Another shrug, followed by her walking away.


Later that night, after Malia's practice, Makayla wolfed down part of her dinner. I was working on everyone else's dinner, and it's 25 minutes before it was time to leave for Makayla's practice. I informed Makayla that it was time for her to get ready for soccer practice. A few minutes later, it didn't sound like anything was going on. When I asked her, she said she couldn't find her cleats and shin guards. I told her they were out in the garage. She came back from the garage annoyed. The box they're in is too high up. I informed her that they were not in a box, but in the bag she had them in on Saturday. She went out again and came back two seconds later, with an attitude. I can't find them. I was really annoyed, and the power struggle began. Off to her room she huffed and began crying very loudly. She wanted me to go out and get them for her. I wasn't going to. She needed to make more of an effort.

15 minutes before practice. Makayla practice starts in 15 minutes, why aren't you getting ready? I can't find my cleats. I told you they are in the garage in the bag you had them in on Saturday. I never put them in a bag she yelled at me. My temper had flared by this point, and so had my voice. You're just giving up, just like your homework. I'm disappointed. So that's it. You're gonna just miss practice? If you hurry, we can still make it. Nothing. What about your team? They're counting on you. What are you going to tell your coach? No response. I storm out of the room.

The rest of us sit down to eat dinner. 6 o'clock. She graces us with her presence. If you hurry, you'll just be a few minutes late. She starts jump roping. I can't find my cleats. You're not looking very hard. You said you didn't want to take me. I said that it would be fine if I had one less place to go, but I would've taken you if you were ready. Grudgingly, she grumbles. I would've taken you. We finish eating dinner. Well, I guess you'll have to talk to Dad about how much money you owe him. He paid for you to play soccer, and for your practices.

Jason comes home. The story unfolds. The answering machine comes on. Makayla's coach's wife wants to be sure we have their cell phone numbers correctly. She noticed that Makayla missed practice. I think you should call your coach and tell him why you missed, says Jason. Because I was too lazy to go find my cleats? Yup. That's embarrassing!

I realize aloud to Jason that she was testing me, would I bail her out like I had in the past? Out of the corner of my eye I see Makayla smiling. She walks out to the garage and sure enough, this time, finds the bag, with her gear, hanging on the nail. Oh, this bag. Yeah I put my stuff in here on Saturday.

I couldn't think of any more hints to help her figure out the last homework problem. Jason did though.

Seriously? This is how we're going to start the week?

Yesterday J-boy, Malia, Derek and I go visit a friend who recently had surgery. Makayla stayed home with Jason. While we were gone, her coach stopped by to see how she was doing. She told him her legs weren't doing so well Monday. :(

I hope there are not many more of these clashes, but I'm afraid this is just the beginning...