Drama queen at 4:00

My daughter is a beautiful girl. She is smart, likes to help out (typically), loves fashion and dance. Jay is serious like her Dad and things come fairly easily to her, they always have. There are things about my daughter that I love and things I, just, don't.

Lately I have found myself suffering from extreme tension in my neck and shoulders that quickly instigates a headache. Oddly, this happens at the same time every. single. day. At 3:30, I make my way to a playground near the kids' school where I wait for Jay to escort her brother from school. By 3:50, the kids have washed their hands and are having a snack. Soon after, Nas is off running around, as he can't stand to do his homework before 4:30, and Jay is at the table having a snack as she begins her homework. THIS is when the headache ensues.

I am happy to help my kids with their homework. But Jay has decided that drama must be part of the homework experience for her. She whines. She sings. She pouts about how long it is taking her to finish. She yells at her brother for God. knows. what. I try to help her only to be told, basically, I don't know what I'm talking about. Really? I am no Algebra whiz, but I still know the basics! Did I mention that headache? That 4:00 headache? Yeah, that is courtesy of Jay.

My little girl is transforming, quickly, into what I've envisioned a teenage daughter to be: an emotional train-wreck. I don't know if we're approaching "that special time we girls have" or not, but if this is how things continue after school one of us is GONNA need a drink.