How do I tell my daughter that two school pickups do not mean every afternoon?
Family“Could you collect Leo on Friday too? You’re already doing Maya,” my daughter said as she handed me the school calendar.
I had offered Tuesday and Thursday pickups for six-year-old Maya during her first month at a new job. Leo is nine and goes to a different school. Friday would mean another thirty minutes driving and missing my choir rehearsal. My daughter said she had accepted a late shift because she thought I was free that afternoon. I hadn't told her about choir; I had also never offered Fridays.
She has checked the after-school club. There is a place, but it would cost her $28 for that afternoon. I can see why asking me seemed easier. I enjoy collecting the children, and I don't want every request to become an argument about how much I do.
I said, “Let me look at my week,” even though I already knew I wanted to keep Friday. Now she is waiting for an answer, and I am annoyed with myself for making a clear no sound like a possible yes.
What would be a fair way to handle this Friday and make the original two-day offer clear? I want to be dependable without becoming the person whose plans can always move.