Miscommunication

Today our afternoon blew up.
And it did not end badly.

Earlier this week, miss h told me she was babysitting for them (and then waved her arm towards a neighbor's house behind ours) on Friday at 5:30pm.
She has a standing twice a week babysitting job for a neighbor who lives on the street behind ours. So, as far as I was concerned, that's was her Friday night job. We'll call them neighbors A.

I talked to neighbor A mom. She's from another country and does speak English with a beautiful, thick accent, most of the time I understand her. I did today. I heard "miss h (really she said miss h's given name), can she babysit, tonight, & 7pm until really late."

Woohoo, since her job was starting later, she wouldn't miss piano lesson. Had miss h text said piano teacher - let her know all kids would be front and center for lessons. So glad that worked out. We have a very flexible and wonderful piano arrangement ---and teacher (the teacher is more wonderful than the arrangement).

Two minutes later, this is the conversation:
Me, "Miss H, neighbor A says you don't need to come over until 7pm."
miss h, "I'm babysitting for them (more arm flinging towards the back)."
Me, "Yeah, I know, but she doesn't need you so early. That's why I just had you text your wonderful piano teacher."
miss h, "I'm babysitting for them (more arm flinging), not them (more arm flinging)."

By now you might have guessed that we have more than one neighbor behind us.

miss h, "Mom, did you tell neighbor A I would babysit for her?"
Me, "Yes." And our wheels started turning.

(You have to know that at this time in my life, I try to see the problem fast and get to a solution quick. One of my mottos, "There is a solution for every problem." --I can't believe I'm at a point in my life where I'm quoting my own mottos. Weird. I guess I've had enough problems & have learned how to deal.)

miss h, "I'm babysitting for neighbor B."
Me, "my mr. and I are supposed to go out tonight."
Me thinking, "How are we going to handle this?"

Here's a family secret, miss h and I can often speak quite emotionally towards each other. There was no raising our voices in anger, just excited voices. --I have a teenager who is dramatic & often get drawn into the drama.--I am getting better at staying emotionally detached in the conversations, but sometimes-whew baby, she can suck me in.

Little mr. j had a friend over playing. miss s was practicing her piano loudly. Little mr. b was trying to ask me questions, like only a 10 year old can. The phone was ringing. It felt like a funny sitcom.

miss s came to the rescue and said she could help with one of the jobs, but I needed her to watch her little brothers. We called neighbor B and she kindly said it would be alright if miss s sat her little precious ones and brought the brothers. miss h was to go to neighbor A's. The phone rang again. Little mr. j's friend's mom came to pick him up.

After a few texts and a phone call, we get to see our wonderful piano teacher tomorrow afternoon.
And-
about an half an hour later, the phone rang again. Neighbor B's friends all canceled and they didn't need a sitter anymore.

I was quite mature with miss h and told her about another one of life's lessons I love.
Many, many problems are caused by miscommunication.

I promised to have her make her own babysitting confirmations.
Except, I forgot to tell her that neighbor B asked if she could come over for a couple of hours tomorrow.