Some background...last year SD12 (then 11) insisted that she wanted to play basketball. I play basketball and have since I was in the 6th grade. So I stupidly volunteered to teach her. What a mistake. We were out there 15 mins, her complaining or giving me attitude the WHOLE TIME. Anyways, after that I wised up and said I wasn't willing to waste my time if all she was going to do was complain. Didn't give a damn what SO thought. So she still insisted she was going to go out for the school team. I frequently look at the school website so I can give SO a heads up about things. (Yes, he could do this and surprisingly he has started doing it more.) So while on the site one day last year, I find that there is basketball practice after school. Researching back, I found when they had tryouts, they read them in the school bulletin, no way SD12 could have missed it.

I tell SO about this and he asks her. She comes up with her wheelbarrow full of excuses, as usual. Whatever. Even more happy I didn't waste my time.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, SD12 announces that she's going to play basketball this year. I just looked at her and said, "I'll believe that when I see it. You said that last year and you didn't even tryout." At this point SO jumps in to tell SD12 that he believes she can do it, if she wants to. I add my agreement to that statement.

Sorry honey, you ain't getting me on that one again. Unlike your daddy, I learn after the FIRST time.

SD12 has really made some improvements in the past year, a lot to SO being a better father and setting up some boundaries. Not up to my standards, but WAY better then he was. He now only gives 1-2 warnings before punishment, instead of 10.