Some people's parents!!! (Vent warning !)
About This Page:

stretch2864 · 10-17-2004, 06:05 AM

As you may know, my DD is a senior this year. Anyways, the kids in her class have been trying to arrange a senior trip over spring break to Mexico. DD and her best friend were of course excited about it.

Being a parent, I was a little worried about them going. However, they would be going through a charter company that arranges trips like this and supervises them to an extent. I told DD that she could go, but she would have to pay for it. She was ok with this as she works at the mall and has been saving her money. Her best friend's mom told DD's best friend that she would pay for this trip as a graduation present to her. DD was excited as this meant that her friend could go for sure. They immediately made plans to share a room and have been talking about it all the time.

Well, Friday was the deadline for early registration. DD paid her non-refundable deposit on Wednesday, so she was all set. Friday afternoon, DD comes home from school in just a foul mood. I asked her what was wrong, and she said that her best friend's mom was no longer going to pay for the trip so her best friend could no longer go as she wouldn't be able to save up that much money in such a short time.

So now my DD was stuck. She had nobody to room with and didn't want to go if her friend couldn't go. Plus she would lose $175 of what she paid down on the trip. I had to admit that I was not happy either. Why would this mom wait until the last day for registration to announce that she didn't intend to pay for the trip? It isn't just her daughter that is affected by this decision. I feel so sorry for DD's friend. She is the nicest girl and her parents treat her like crap.

This girl had a car last year that they took away at a moment's notice and gave to her older sister who had an accident DRINKING and DRIVING because her car had been totalled in that accident. DD's friend has a job, but her parents wouldn't give her a ride to work even though they took her car away. DD has been giving her rides to and from work for a year now. She is a good kid--doesn't smoke, drink, do drugs or get into trouble. I can't figure out why they treat her so badly. At this rate they will turn her into a bad kid! If they didn't intend to pay for her trip, then why tell her that they would in the first place. DD scrambled around and did find somebody to stay with down there but is really upset that her friend isn't going as they do everything together. GRRR!!!! If you have some spare pixie dust, can you send it in the direction of my DD's best friend? She could use it!

Tara O'Hara · 10-17-2004, 08:11 AM

Oh my gosh, Vicky!

That's a horrible story. How on earth could any parent do such things to their child?!

I don't know how those people get a good night's sleep! I have four teenagers, who are far from perfect, but they sure know that they are loved! Unfortunately, your daughter is finding out early what the world can be like.

I hope that she is connected with other families, who can also show her that everyone is not like that! Mucho

to her friend for this painful experience. She sounds like a strong girl who has learned how to cope with her situation, but she's still just a kid!

Just one other thought. Do you know this girl's parents? Is there any possibility that she really wasn't allowed to go in the first place? The car story also breaks my heart. I just can't believe that anyone could be that cruel to their child for no reason at all.

katspjs · 10-17-2004, 09:18 AM

**LizardCop** · 10-17-2004, 09:18 AM

Unfortunately, I deal with this kind of stuff every day, and it still stinks...

Here's a lot of

and

for DD's friend.

If I wasn't such a nice guy, I might have to get on my [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/4/4_2_205.gif[/img] or maybe visit the parents and [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/4/4_2_111v.gif[/img] them into shape...

Life's ugly enough sometimes, it doesn't need to start at home....

disneyqueenmum · 10-17-2004, 09:25 AM

Oh my goodness! That poor girl! Sounds like the parents are maybe afraid of the older sister and were taking advantage of the younger DD's good nature by taking her car away and giving it to the older girl(?) Then breaking promises to her by refusing to fund her trip....unthinkable. I hope your DD has a wonderful time regardless.

wdwlovers · 10-17-2004, 09:36 AM

Oh Vicky, that poor girl. How awful to tell her they would pay for the trip and then at the last minute back out. And it leaves your DD in the lurch. Has she made a decision about what she's going to do?

Nick and Ryans Mom · 10-17-2004, 09:36 AM

That is horrible. I don't know how people like that are able to live with themselves. Pixies for DD's friend

**DrDolphin** · 10-17-2004, 09:55 AM

I am so sorry that this has happened to DD's best friend and having a cascade effect on DD!!!

OffKilter_Lynn · 10-17-2004, 10:02 AM

That is horrible! I struggle with trying to keep things 'fair' between my two kids - I couldn't image purposely doing something like this to either one!

Pixie dust wishes for your daughter - it's a bitter lesson at any age.

goofy4goofy · 10-17-2004, 10:39 AM

I'm sending a ton of pixie dust for DD and her friend. What a sad story!!!

Kelly

graygables · 10-17-2004, 12:07 PM

There is a difference in being firm and being *mean* and they certainly have crossed the line! There are some parents who actually enjoy the power trip they get when they can lord over their kids and it makes me

. Here is some

for your DDs friend, it seems like she has chosen the high road so far and I hope she continues to rise above her upbringing!

Here's another batch of

to your DD for being such a great friend and that she will be able to have a good time on the trip under the circumstances!