Bribing my daugher for my sanity

I spent much of the day smiling. Why? Because, as the cliché goes, money talks.

Essentially, my daughter had a mission to buy a laptop. I had a mission to keep my sanity.

So I did what I've long tried avoiding as a parent, the bribe.

"So what if instead of inviting so many friends, you just have three max spend the night?"

"What do you mean, Mom?"

"I'll give you money toward that laptop you want so much.

"What?"

"You heard me. I know some of your friends will be left out, but parties are expensive and exhausting for your mom."

She starts thinking. And oh is it difficult deciding what to do.

She runs through her friends. She always invites her closest buds, but she also invites a few new girls as well as her long-time friends who may not be as close these days. Let me just say that because of this effort for inclusiveness, her party turns into two or three parties in one, divided by cliques. I'm left dead tired trying to make sure drama is at a minimum. She's exhausted making sure everyone feels included.

She makes a list, and then she hesitates. "Can I invite more than three?"

"Sure, if you don't want all the money."

I feel a little guilty. But I'm too old for 10+ screaming pre-teens. And it's all about my sanity.

In the end only two girls would stay the night. Perfect.

She's happy because she now has a laptop. I'm happy because there wasn't the kind of drama that drove me insane the last few years.