automatic answer claims a victim

[Phillip Allen]

as the granddaughter is leaving the house to go home, I asked if she got everything and remembered things like her phone charger... "Yes" she says.
this morning she wants me to bring her phone charger to her.
so, who does she think should bear the consequences for her automatic answer?

[wardd]

did you bring the charger?

[Phillip Allen]

nope

[wardd]

then it's what you thought that prevailed

[Mad Scientist]

Drop it in the mail - I bet USPS is the cheapest way to get it there.

Tom

[Glen Longino]

Drop it in the mail - I bet USPS is the cheapest way to get it there.

Tom

Bingo, Tom!
Quit being such an Iron Arse, Phillip!
Send her the danged charger and tell her you love her and everybody makes mistakes.
You're her grandfather, not God Almighty!

[Phillip Allen]

I'll likely go out there in the next day or two

[B_B]

nope

Remember this the next time you make a mistake. You're getting old, Phillip. You're going to need all the friends you can muster as life gets harder to live on your own; if this is the hill you want to die on, go right ahead.

[botebum]

Bring her the charger as soon as you get a minute. Find out from her mom or dad when the phone is dead so the kid gets a taste of what happens when she screws up. Then get a minute.

She won't be "being punished" by anyone but herself that way and it's quite possible that she'll learn a lesson taught by herself.
You'll also be a hero for showing up after "I've been without my phone for HOURS! Thank you so much Grandpa!"

Doug

[Phillip Allen]

Remember this the next time you make a mistake. You're getting old, Phillip. You're going to need all the friends you can muster as life gets harder to live on your own; if this is the hill you want to die on, go right ahead.

if you guys think I"m going to make a 50 mile round trip so she can blow off questions like "did you get your charger", you are wrong

you will note that her parents did not come and get the charger either

[Ron Williamson]

The I-told-you-so isn't necessary,either.
She already knows, so a wry smile and a snicker should do it.
R

[Phillip Allen]

The I-told-you-so isn't necessary,either.
She already knows, so a wry smile and a snicker should do it.
R

I didn't tell her that. I'll take it to her the next time I go out there but I won't make an extra trip that long

her 'reminder' will come the next time she gives me a dismissive answer like before... children must be taught to be responsible and it's a process that doesn't happen at one 'telling'

[Ron Williamson]

I didn't mean to imply that you told her so.
It's much more better if they learn it for themselves than to have Grumpa ragging on them.
Not unlike telling a kid to wear his coat because it's cold out.
He knows its cold out,but he wants a fight.
R

[Glen Longino]

Lucky for you I'm not your grand-daughter!
I can think of a hundred places to tell you to shove that goldanged charger!

[Phillip Allen]

Lucky for you I'm not your grand-daughter!
I can think of a hundred places to tell you to shove that goldanged charger!

if you were, we'd get along much better

I can remember my mother asking me: "Who was your servant this time last year?"

[pumpkin]

if you guys think I"m going to make a 50 mile round trip so she can blow off questions like "did you get your charger", you are wrong

you will note that her parents did not come and get the charger either

Depending on what you drive, the fuel for a 50 mile trip is worth more than a cheap genaric charger.

[Glen Longino]

Depending on what you drive, the fuel for a 50 mile trip is worth more than a cheap genaric charger.

It's a matter of principle with Phillip, not money!
You see, Phillip thinks it's his duty to be an icon of power and control and perfection for his weak, imperfect, and needy grand-daughter!
Someday, she'll tell him to go fly a kite(as she should)and Phillip will show up here whining that she is inappreciative and irresponsible after all his efforts.
Woe is me!

[Phillip Allen]

It's a matter of principle with Phillip, not money!
You see, Phillip thinks it's his duty to be an icon of power and control and perfection for his weak, imperfect, and needy grand-daughter!
Someday, she'll tell him to go fly a kite(as she should)and Phillip will show up here whining that she is inappreciative and irresponsible after all his efforts.
Woe is me!

wow, you have read volumes into a pretty simple thing

[B_B]

wow, you have read volumes into a pretty simple thing

Not to beat you up, Phillip, but I got a similar impression. Your tone in the OP and subsequently, or the tone I've projected for your posts, is one of superiority and condescension. If she reads it the same way then the only thing she'll learn is that Gramps is a Grump, but we knew that already

[Phillip Allen]

Not to beat you up, Phillip, but I got a similar impression. Your tone in the OP and subsequently, or the tone I've projected for your posts, is one of superiority and condescension. If she reads it the same way then the only thing she'll learn is that Gramps is a Grump, but we knew that already

to say it as simply as I can think of right now:
I asked her if she remembered to get the charger
she said yes
then called the next morning and wanted to have me stop what I was doing and bring it to her right then

I don't think it is good to encourage a child to act in such a way... plus, I really didn't feel like making the trip even if it was free

[Bobby of Tulsa]

I agree with you Phillip. There was a bad wreck on the hiway by my daughters house one morning. Traffic backed up for miles, I knew if she got on that road she would be at least two hours late for work. So being the nice guy that I am, I called her up. When she answered the phone she said who ever this is better have a major emergency calling me at this hour of the day. So I just hung up the phone. I think she got to work before noon. Later that day she ask me why I didn't tell her about backup.

[Paul Pless]

children must be taught

If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?

[Glen Longino]

If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?

Heheh!