The rules.

Every single time Erin gets around other kids, the rules fly out the window. This is not ok. It has never been ok, but it is especially not ok now, because we live in a neighborhood that has other kids now. It's great that Erin's able to run around and play, and the kids don't seem bad like they were in our neighborhood in GA, but wow. Erin needs work. I don't know how many times I've said it. The rules always apply. Thak and I have always been very consistent as parents. That's supposed to prevent this type of thing from happening. Kids only act like this when they have shitty parents who don't discipline them or set out clear cut standards. That's what everyone wants you to believe. It's so not true, though. We have done everything "they" say you're supposed to do, and she still turned out like this.

Erin just ran out the door and around the corner of the house because she saw another kid out her window. It is 8:30 pm, dark outside, and past her bedtime. It's the weekend, so the past her bedtime thing isn't a big deal. The 8:30 pm and dark outside thing is a big deal. I cannot have this kid just taking off and running out the door at will. It's not safe in the least, especially after dark. She got chewed out for it, of course, and seemed to completely brush it off.

This is going to be interesting, that's for sure. The rules have always been the rules. They stand no matter who's around, and they are enforced that way. Yet, somehow, we still have "that" kid. Writing on everything in permanent marker, trashing everything, running out the front door and just disappearing.... What next? Smoking crack? I mean, seriously.