By Charlotte Byus
Our daughter, Dianne, is married to Chris and he has two lovely daughters from his first marriage. The oldest is 20 and at A&M with Matthew, Dianne’s youngest child. Josie is Chris’s youngest daughter, she is 14 and in Jr. High. These girls have not been raised as our daughters and their children. RR and I spent most of their lives trying to explain that not everyone is raised the same. Some have more money and some have much less and their values are not the same. Our girls had to work or do chores for special items they just had to have and they understood that.

With all of this said, I need to eat my words! Josie has June to spend with Chris and Di and Chris shared Josie with us for four days. Because they live in different states, we really appreciated his offer when Josie asked him.

I picked Josie up this past week and we started our new adventure. We had a great time. She spent most of her time in the big green hammock swing reading her book. When she got too warm she would come in to cool off and back out she would go again. She enjoyed sleeping until 10:30 or later but could not understand she had to make her own breakfast or lunch when you wake up that late. You eat when I fix it or you make it. Something new for her along with other household items. For instance, I do not pick up towels, clean your bath, or pick up your dishes.

Rene’ came up Friday after work to help her Dad with chores and spend some time with us. So, Saturday after our chores were done, we three girls went shopping in downtown Lufkin. Thank goodness some stores were already closed by 3pm. But a few were still open and fun to browse through. Josie had a rude awakening with her Aunt Ne’, she picked out a bathing suit that was a total of 3 band-aids. Rene’ said very loudly “NO!” You are only 14 and that is not appropriate in ANY WAY. Josie’s comment was “my dad thinks it’s ok.” Rene’ said, “I’ll see about that!” But we did find out that in no way was her dad okay with that …Not going any further with that, LOL.

That night we went for Mexican food, once again there was a problem. No double dipping with chips, and the Queso dip was not just for her so she would not eat any. Good Grief, I do believe Rene’ is not Josie’s favorite Aunt.

Needless to say phone calls were made and chats were had when Rene’ took Josie home, a 2-½ hour drive from here.

No, everyone is not raised the same way.

Have a great week.

[Jun-14-2022]