So Much For That!

United States
September 4, 2019 12:24pm CST
My nieces came over at 6:45 yesterday morning for their first day with us. We woke Little Miss and all came out to the living area. Little Miss was excited to have them there. From the looks on my the girl's faces, they were less than enthused. Offered them breakfast. They said they ate. Both sat in a chair, opened their backpacks, and took out their tablets. Then asked me for my WiFi password. Reluctantly, I gave it to them. Little Miss immediately asked to use my tablet, and I told her no. I only let her use it about once or twice a month. After Little Miss and I got ready for our day, we took the girls to school, which is just down the road from where we live. Told them to have a good day and I would see them after school. Then took Little Miss to daycare and I went about my day. Picked the girls up at 2:55 and we headed to town to pick up Little Miss from daycare. Met with the my niece to drop the girls off. Told them I would see them in the morning. Got a text while I was making our dinner to let me know that the girls preferred to go to their former sitter. My guess is that they weren't happy with the fact that I didn't want them to play with their tablets while at my home. Truly, I am not hurt that they won't be coming back. The age difference between them and Little Miss is 7 years. I doubt that they would have been able to spend more than an hour with her without getting sick of it. One of the girls had said that she didn't know who was more annoying, her half-sister, or "her." as she nodded toward Little Miss. I tried to explain that she was young and excited to have them there. Once the newness was over she would settle in. My niece rolled her eyes. Yeah, that's the good old preteen coming out in her. Life goes on while we are making plans. Little Miss is sad they won't be returning. But, we will still have fun on our own.
14 people like this
13 responses
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
4 Sep 19
Awww that is too bad that they acted that way but yes that it those preteens years. One of my grand daughters is like that but thankfully the other two aren't. The other two would have happily played with Little Miss if they were there. Some kids spend way too much time on on their tablets and phones and are missing out on so much. Sure glad it wasn't that way when I was growing up or when my kids were.
2 people like this
• United States
4 Sep 19
When my niece and her siblings stayed with me during the summer months, they enjoyed playing outside. We didn't have electronics to worry about back then.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99390)
• Canada
5 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly I think too much time on electronics ruin a kid. They should be out having fun and not glued to a screen.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
@Happy2BeMe that is why we limit the use of electronic devices and television with Little Miss.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
4 Sep 19
They will get over it
2 people like this
• United States
5 Sep 19
True, and I won't have to worry about it now that they are not returning.
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
5 Sep 19
Awww that is too bad. I dont know the age of Little Miss. Tessa is 12 and our grandkids we had over the summer had an hour a day on them and then I would kick them outside or told them find something else to do. I dont think a kid belongs on tablets and things all day. Playing inside and out helps them grow in so many ways.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
Little Miss is 4 years old. I let her watch about 45 minutes of cartoons in the morning. This will change once she is in preschool. She can watch her DVD player in the evening. It is usually for about 45-60 minutes. But she gets bored with it and will stop it to go play for a little bit. She would sit on it all day if I let her and I won't. She gets angry when I limit her time. But, is quickly diverted into another fun task and I am glad for that. She prefers to be outdoors over anything though. YAY!
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Sep 19
@Ithink Little Miss loves being outside sunny, rain, or snow!
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
9 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly Awww My Tessa would love her, we have Ecko who is 2 and she comes over and Tessa has a great time with her outside. Tessa also is an outside person as long as isnt cold! lol I think she gets it from me.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
5 Sep 19
That is the problem today, kids have very few social skills since they spend all their time with their faces stuck in a tablet or a cell phone. Jack likes to watch Youtube videos for hours on end but he is also happy playing with legos or a friend. Its too bad the nieces weren't willing to make at least a little effort to interact with Little Miss.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Sep 19
@BelleStarr I am a little concerned about those years once Little Miss hits them.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
I know a lot of it had to do with their age. Their mother said the same thing. Live and learn.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
5 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly We have been noticing that our granddaughter Syd who is 11 has started to lose patience with 7-year-old Jack, they still have moments but on others, her pre-teen comes out. I don't envy their mother, I remember well the teen years with my daughter, it was like she was another person for 4 or 5 years lol
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Sep 19
i reckon those girls 're lucky to've been't yer house. i refuse to let young'uns play 'round'n those 'n e'en the adults when they come. all gadgets do 'nto a basket by the door'n their way'n. though sad fer lil miss, i'm glad yer not gonna be dealin' with these other 2. they seem to lack some manners 'n structure.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
@crazyhorseladycx their mom didn't make them stay. I would have if it were me. If she were to call again and ask I would tell her no. Not going to put the little one through that again.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
Little Miss does much better with children her own age. She interacts with all ages, but clearly will benefit immensely from socializing with her own age group. She starts preschool next week.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly yes ma'am, that'll help lots. 'tis a shame though that the nieces 're so 'ttached to their gadgets 't such a young age. all could benefit, if'n they'd take the time to bond.
1 person likes this
• Sonora, California
4 Sep 19
I’m sorry they disappointed your Little Miss! I’m sure you will have fun though!
2 people like this
• United States
4 Sep 19
Little Miss will bounce back. It will take a little time I am sure.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (134646)
• Roseburg, Oregon
4 Sep 19
That is sad that they will not be back.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
We will see them occasionally at family gatherings.
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
6 Sep 19
It's so sad that children don't seem to be able to play any more - they are too wrapped up in their devices. I'm glad that you ration Little Miss with hers.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Sep 19
Sometimes it's a test of wills. When she becomes too pushy I place it out of sight. She forgets about it after awhile.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Sep 19
I can understand that Little Miss is disappointed that the big girls won't be coming. I agree with you, though, about the tablets and that these days kids have to have their noses stuck in some sort of technology.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Sep 19
We did allow her to play with the tablet for an hour one evening. She has been bugging for it every day, several times a day since then. It is addicting for them. For adults too.
@moffittjc (118570)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Sep 19
Typical preteen attitude on them girls! lol
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Sep 19
Yes, which made it easier for me in the long run when they decided not to come back. LOL
1 person likes this
@just4him (307132)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 Sep 19
I'm sorry it didn't work out. Yes, it's the preteen boredom with younger children.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
I do believe that everything happens for a reason. So, I am okay with this.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307132)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
5 Sep 19
@ElusiveButterfly I'm glad you are.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326149)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep 19
Oh, that's a shame as I knew you were looking forward to having them. But it sounds like it might be for the best.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
I was actually a little relieved that they decided not to come back. After the little remarks about Little Miss I realized I am not ready to deal with pre-teens.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
4 Sep 19
Life happens like this sometimes.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Sep 19
Yes and I am okay with it.
1 person likes this