PROGRESS!

I know I'm off the hook and I don't have to post every day anymore, but I can't seem to stop.

I think I had a minor breakthrough with The Boyfriend's Younger Daughter (TBYD). As I had written earlier, I was very stressed at the thought of her living with us again as the last time was equivalent to the 'ol pouring-rubbing-alcohol-on-paper-cuts-day-after-day routine. In a word: harrowing. So I was not looking forward to the sequel.

Well things have gone better than expected thus far. We have passed the three week mark without any major fits or doldrums and, although she is still leaving detritus in her wake (books, shoes, apple cores, wet towels, dirty mugs), she is more cooperative than last year.

I'm most excited about the fact that today I helped her with some math homework and she didn't roll her eyes (not that I would see them, for they are artfully hidden by sweeping manga bangs -- see illustration), burst into tears or make cutting remarks. She was practically civilised. And, despite being as math-challenged as she, I learned some trig into the bargain! I won't go into minute detail but at least she let me nudge her a little which, to me, is a big deal. And hopefully I may have planted a learning strategy (mnemonic devices) into her head which helps her in the future. The mere fact that she tolerated my interference was a very good sign.

TBYD probably still thinks I'm a barely tolerable, dweeby moron, but it's better than hating me. Onward... into the breach!