Every few weeks, we hop on Skype for about 30 minutes so that my parents can see the girls. It usually results in the girls going crazy, showing off for the computer camera, yelling, screaming, laughing, fighting over my lap space, and someone crying for one reason or another (e.g. injury, fighting). However, it also amplifies the fact that my parents just do NOT listen to a single word I say. I'm trying to quote directly from today's conversations below:
Mom: How warm is it there today?
Me: It was about 83 this afternoon, I have all the doors and windows open.
Dad: It was about 20 here today.
Mom: Yes, it was so cold here. Is it cold there?
Me: ...no, it was 83 here this afternoon.
Dad: How is Lily doing at preschool?
Me: Fine, she loves going there.
Mom: Does she like it there?
Me: ...yes, she loves going to school.
Dad: *to Mom* She only goes twice a week, I wonder if she likes it.
Me: What did you do this past weekend?
Dad: Eva looks so cute in your lap like that.
Me: Yeah, she can be cute at times. So...did you do anything fun last weekend?
Mom: She looks like you right now!
Me: So they tell me. Did you go into town on Saturday?
Dad: What are you doing this week? Anything interesting? (note: I could have answered this question with the truth, or I could have said "having an alien's love child," and both would have registered the same non-committal answer because they don't listen)
Dad: You're not saying much.
Me: Is there any point in saying anything? You don't hear me anyway, don't answer my questions, ignore me when I try to tell you something, and make me feel like an idiot most of the time.
Mom: Yes, it's been good talking to you too. You need to go now, I know.
Me: ....!
So, if you ever meet my parents, or know them, and they talk about what's going on in my life, take it all with a grain of salt. It's not like they actually know what's going on, pay attention to what is said, or even attempt to have a conversation with me. It reminds me of talking to someone with ear blinders on (but of course, not blinders, because that would mean they could see - maybe earmuffs?). Most of the time, whenever I hear them talk about something that happened with me or the girls, it's totally blown out of proportion, made up, or completely incorrect. This is why I never tell them anything important anymore. Have I told them about medical issues? No. Have I told them about training for a half marathon? No. Have I told them about my difficulties with potty training Eva? No. Why? Why should I? I don't want to waste my breath talking to people about things that are important to me that they just blow off by saying "oh, that's nice." Total. Waste. Of. Time.
Skyping with my parents is a waste of time, but it's one of those things I'll just have to suffer through. Thank goodness they live 2000 miles away.
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