Things I *SWORE* I'd never say...

"Because I said so"

"you just know"

"you are grounded"

"you'll thank me in 10 years"

"It's called tough love"

This past week I was in charge of my 17 yr old niece.......so yeah, the above picture isn't quite as accurate to sum up my week.... more like this....

 Followed by.....

I always prided myself in being a good aunt, and love my niece dearly.  We've had a good relationship and were more like friends than anything else.  However heading into the week, I was afraid that she would try to use that to her advantage and "use" me for lack of a better word.  I won't go into the details of what happened, but my fears came true and it's been quite a stressful week.  So much so that the thought of getting my tubes tied seemed like a *fantastic* idea.  (of course, I say that with extreme sarcasm!  I do want kids!)  Very quickly into the week I found myself saying things that my mom had said to me.  Things that at the age of 17 (and knew everything already) I swore with a sarcastic roll of the eyes that I would NEVER say.  

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that she hasn't had to view me as an authority figure since she was... ehh... 10 maybe? I was always her "pal".  I figured today when we had a family meeting and I, "ratted" her out if you wanna call it that.. I prefer to think of it as an intervention for someone that I dearly love.....that she would swear off ever speaking to me again and inform me how I've ruined her life, that she hates me, and all the other mature stuff we say at the age of 17.  And if she was thinking that on the inside, she certainly didn't show it on the outside.  Even hugged me and told me she loved me at the end.  We spent the night watching tv in the family room... like a family for a change.  Was nice.  I hope it's not a front, I really do.  My dad even said that maybe with her calm reaction to the meeting that perhaps some things she's been doing were a cry for help?  I dunno.   Time will tell I guess.  She'll be 18 in 3 weeks.  I just want the best for her, so even if that means pissing her off I'm fine with that.  I know I have her best interest at heart so tough love is sometimes necessary.  And I feel that she will one day thank me... I hope..... 

It does feel like Parenting 101 though... I think boarding school from the ages of 13-25 is an awesome idea.  Perhaps I should start saving now??? lol.  

The week has been great, and is ending on an awesome note with even more good news that I received in the last couple of hours.  Yah!!  Everything is falling perfectly into place.  :)

Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend.  I will update soon!! :)  

And finally...