(YIPPEE) ok, I don't usually post this often, but it was mighty fine last night, and I wanted to put up a tale of success...

(Picture it)
Dinner time.
Dh
SD
GrandDaughter in high chair learning to bang and sing...
Plates are somewhat clean.

DH leans back, "ok, now we have to talk."

SD - Patentable deer in head lights look. ooohhh poor me? I didn't do nothing, remember I am the victim here look. Really, it is a good look, I want to gag.

DH, Leaning back staring at the ceiling - this is the I am a good but tough parent routine. I must be strong and act on my convictions. It is the "This is as hard for me as it is for you." pose.

Me - Sit back, cross legs. Hand over mouth. HUH. Wonder what this is about? going through my head...

"Gertrude and I discussed your college last night." Says DH. (WOO HOO!!!) "And you will be finding a less expensive place to attend. She told me about your conversation last night."

(Inside I am jumping for joy, woo hoo!! THIS IS AMAZING!).

"Now, you are getting on your feet, it is time for you to start contributing to the household." He explains to the ceiling without looking at anyone, because it is very hard to lay down the law to your very own princess, don't you know...

SD - Stunned, works on, "poor me" look. Very concerned. I AM the victim pose. Crouched in on self as if ready for a beating (and no - there is no hitting in my house -this is the drama queen, previously known as The Belly, with a very delicate toe - very good at this...)

Baby - QUIET! Well somthing must be up!

DH - has quite a difficult time getting this out, "you will leave a check on the kitchen table between the first and the fifth of every month for your rent of (drum roll in my head) the same amount that DAD (My acronym - Dumb A** Deadbeat - the baby daddy) owes in child support!!!!"

I am now frozen in pose of absolute cool, calm, and matter of fact. I am so afraid to say anything!! Inside, I am doing the amazingly silly happy dance! STUNNED, I tell you, I am STUNNED!

SD starts with, "but rent isn't usually due until the 10, and I don't get paid until the 7. I don't know if I can do it between the 1st and 5th."

There ensued a discussion about good rent paying habits. That this is one of the ways that we are teaching her to be responsible, and that the cost isn't exorbitant, but it pays for her baby's place to sleep, which is her job. (It is uber cheap - DAD was only assessed 200/mo in cs. he hasn't even paid that yet...) We discussed how we would not tolerate DAD stealing from us, which was what he is doing as long as we support her and he doesn't pay his fair share. She brought up that the day care subsidy hasn't kicked in yet, so she didn't know if she could afford the rent. HAHAHA - um - follow up with DAD chica. Stand up. It is time. What SD doesn't know is that DH and I already discussed, all of her rent goes into an account for granddaughter. She thinks she is paying us, but that is a fine fine thing for her to think.

And so, we brought our dinner conversation to a close. I was SO happy. We had cookies for dessert! Cookie anyone?