Expectation Re-adjustment

I spent a good amount of driving time readjusting my expectations of Jubilee.  I realized that I expect her to respond to me the way my other kids do.  She was plopped down in the midst of my crazy crew four months ago.  She is a twelvish year old girl, with all of the emotions that involves.  She is still learning our language figuratively and literally.  She was stripped of all of her friends, and many of them were very dear to her.  If I were in her shoes I would be a wreck, and I'm sure I would be a wreck for quite some time.

While she was at her friend's house for the week I had time to really focus on the rest of the tribe.  I realized that in many ways she does treat me like my kids.  Omega threw some classic tantrums, threatened to run away and spent a good deal of time yelling.  My older girls gave me lots of unenthusiastic responses to suggestions on how they might spend their time.  They slept in a lot, and plugged right into their ipods before I could get them to eat breakfast.  Jubilee fits right in actually.  It reminded me of the time my dad asked us to treat my step-mom more like our mom.  My brother quipped, "You want us to bring her our laundry and ask her for money?"

Since she came home, she has been pretty easy going.  She hangs out with the kids, watches movies and watches endless Justin Beiber videos.  The weather as been absolutely dismal, so spending time outside has been very unpleasant.  We did find a karate class that she is excited about.  I know that spending a week with her closest friends is probably the best therapy that I can give her.  I need to make a point of making that happen often.  Then I need to chill out and let her be a twelve year old girl.  I need to be patient with her moods, and teach her how to roll with the punches.  Maybe I need to chill out and let her teach me how to roll with the punches, I think she handles them much better than I do.  She is a lovely girl, and if I learn to love Justin Beiber we will do just fine.