‘Ms. A, it is time for us to talk.” Turning to my Tuesday girl, I said,
‘About…’ her hand was on her hips and I knew she was going to give it to me straight no chaser…
I was ready…
I thought…
‘Ms. A, you waste so much of your precious time…’ My hands had now found my hips. I knew doggone well, she wasn’t talking to me. I stared her down, she stared back in that sixteen years old way that some young sisters have. Eyes squinted, mouth slightly twisted, head ready to roll…
‘Yes ma’am you waste time, you have four girls, and two of us are always here. On time, every time. We do the tasks, we read the books, we ‘incorporate’ as you say what you tell us. But those other two, they do what they want, when they want. You either need to get two more or just keep the two you got.’ She had my attention now.
‘So Missy, what do you propose I do?’ I have always known, you can learn from the children.
‘You need to place them on the rule of two…’
‘The rule of two?’
‘Yes ma’am, if you send them two texts, two emails or call them twice, if they don’t respond, then cut them off. You are a busy woman with too much to do, to be fooling up with people who don’t value your time. You have to keep it moving, there are too many of us out there who can use you. I sure do hope you don’t waste that much time with the book thing, otherwise you…are a wasting big-time.’ She walked away to go do what I had told her to. I stood still in my very tracks, watching that child sway away. She was on to something. I have been very good at managing my time and handling my business…
But…
Sometimes….
When it comes to people…
Especially people I care about or value…
I make mad concessions…
So I had to think about this thing….
Okay starting tomorrow…
They are on the rule of…
Three….okay four…
Blessings…
Angelia
5 comments:
You need to place them on the rule of two…’
‘The rule of two?’
LOL...that chile is on to something...you betta listen...hehe.
xoxo
Out of the mouth of Babies come otherwise unspoken knowledge. Miss A. That child is not lying stop compromising your time for selfish young people who don't value the good that you are doing donating your time.
Awesome!
I feel you though. It's hard to just move on and give up on people sometimes. With teens, it's even harder because you want so desperately to get through to them. But there does come a point in time, and you'll know when, when you have to let go. They must learn from their mistakes and understand what they had...after it's gone....
I am listening, listening and learning...thanks all!!
Love and Blessings...
angelia
My Mom raised us on the "Rule of Three": the first time was a request, the second time as a reminder. The third time? That was your a**. LOL Great post!
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