On Saturday, Cole left to see his grandparents – to have wonderful Spring Break vacation that includes three meals every day, and grandparents that dote on his every word; a vacation that includes sleeping late in a quiet house, under a Ralph Lauren comforter, awaking to the smell of French toast, and constantly being asked if he’s had enough to eat and how he would like to spend his day.
The night before his departure, he was in his room packing his freshly laundered Gap t-shirts, shorts, and Lucky Brand jeans. His clothes had even been removed from the dryer by his mother before the wrinkles set in; she knows his Grandmother is not overly fond of the crumpled look. When he was done packing, he went to download a movie onto his Apple laptop, only to discover there was a security question issue. The following conversation ensued…
Cole: Mom what are the answers to the Apple iTunes account?
Mom: I have no idea. I don’t remember answering security questions.
Cole: I need to know the name of your favorite teacher and first car.
Mom: First car was a Datsun; I don’t think I had a favorite teacher. Maybe it was your grade school teacher. Try her name.
None of my answers were correct. And adding insult to injury, because of Apple’s inane password requirements, we ended up needing to reset our password because we answered the security questions incorrectly.
While I reset the password, the teen whined and lamented about not only Apple’s cruelty but my inability to remember the answers to security questions I never remembered answering in the first place.
I tried to call Apple for help with the security questions but they were closed, which caused Cole to sink further into despair. However, in the course of sitting on hold for Apple tech support so I could be told they were not open, I realized I could download the movie for Cole – and because we share an account, he would be able to watch it on his computer.
However, by this point, my teen was in the middle of a meltdown and had turned his listening ears off. He looked at me and said, with a lot of tone….
I CANNOT BELIEVE I WILL HAVE TO SIT ON A PLANE FOR 2 1/2 HOURS WITHOUT A MOVIE TO WATCH.
(Did I mention that because of a gracious client he would be flying First Class? No? Well, let me add it here.)
Ok, I am, generally speaking, a pretty patient Mom. I raise my voice on average about once a year, and I seldom lose it, but I have my moments and they are not pretty. I guess the look on my face wasn’t pretty either, as Cole’s meltdown came to an abrupt halt as I shouted:
YOU CANNOT IMAGINE SITTING ON A PLANE FOR 2 1/2 HOURS WITHOUT A MOVIE? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW EFFEN SPOILED AND ENTITLED YOU SOUND??? (There was more, but that sums it up nicely.)
EVERYTHING IS AMAZING AND WONDERFUL AND YOU ARE NOT HAPPY.
This last part was in reference to a video Cole and I watched several years back. If you haven’t watched it….watch it now. The best part starts at about 2:00. Unfortunately the original video seems to have been pulled from You Tube.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/mfmmNif5WCw?t=38s[/youtube]
My son changed his tone, apologized, and decided a movie might not be that big a deal, after all. I’m not sure if it was the reference to the video or my bared teeth and the daggers shooting out of my eyes.
And now, of course, if you know me, you will ask, “What movie did he end up watching on the plane?”
Magic Mike.
The tough Mom role just doesn’t suit me. But my moments are memorable.
♥~
Magic Mike??? No way!!!! All that for Magic Mike???? “rolling my eyes”.
It wasn’t his first choice. There wasn’t much else that hadn’t seen…kids have seen almost every movie out. Surprised that wasn’t a problem too! 😀
We’ve been through the Apple forgotten password. What a nightmare.
Since your moments are memorable I’m sure they are taken seriously as was evident by Cole’s apology. Teen angst is an angsty thing 🙂
PS – Magic Mike…LOL
It is indeed. Sometimes you just want to kill them. 😀
Good grief, am I going to have to watch Magic Mike just to see what it is?
You did tell us about the first class upgrade. That in itself is reason enough not to bury oneself in a movie. Enjoy the luxury.
French toast is the first thing my grandsons want when I’m around. It’s in the job description.
Well, I guess my Mom got the memo because French toast is always first up on the breakfast menu. Oh do watch….Magic Mike..your DH will love it, I’m sure. 👿
I would be mortified to watch magic mike on a plane. Maybe you will get your revenge after all.
Ya Know, Sarah the thought crossed my mind to say something, but I assumed he knew what he had rented….insert evil laugh. 👿
Maybe some of the stress was separation anxiety..on both your parts. But see what a good kid you raised, he actually backed down AND apologized! Not many would. Your son is a great guy and you are a great mother and I’m glad you each get some time away from each other! You deserve it! (But first class???? I’m 57 and I’ve NEVER gone anywhere first class!) 🙂
Thanks Dawn. He is a good kid, I think sometimes they just get carried away with their own self importance and need a quick snap and sit/heal/stay lesson (so to speak). I would never pay to fly first class, but if you ever have the opportunity to upgrade, or fly stand by and nab a first class seat go for it! It’s worth it!
well played mom & son.
mark me down as another who would love to fly 1st class just once. just once.
If it makes everyone feel better I fly stand bye often by the grace of client trades and am seldom the recipient of first class. For stand bye passenger there is a strict first class dress code and all I can figure out is Cole is dressed better than I am…which really, does not surprise me. Put first class in your bucket.
That’s a very accurate rendering of a teenager meltdown. First class? Shut the front door!
Kid lives right, what can I say, but revenge is kind of sweet when you picture him trying to watch Magic Mike.
Boy, does this bring back some fun-times with the Domer when he was a teen! Trust me, it DOES get better, with time!
That said, his vacation sounds perfect — would his grandparents like to spoil me and my Sheltie, too? I could use a break, breakfast every morning, sleeping late, quiet house in which to write. . . . He’d better lap that up while he can!!
Lol. Most of the time it’s great (as you know), but then there are days you wish you could send them to the moon on the end of your foot.
Loves spending times with his grandparents. Next trip is mine 😀
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