Remember, they're TOYS. Developing skills should be somewhat secondary to having fun.

Michelle held Bristol close to her and raised an eyebrow at the little girl's parents, both of them dressed up for a much-needed date night. Then she reached for the piece of paper Jessica kept shaking at her. "You want me to do what in the who now?"

"It's just a simple schedule, Michelle," Jessica said. "We just want to ensure that Bristol gets the correct amount of stimulation while you're babysitting her. It's important to her growth and development."

"VERY important," Ryan chimed in.

Michelle laughed as she said, "I've done this before, you know. And you're only going to be gone for a few hours. I think we'll be okay."

Jessica huffed. "Michelle, I am well aware of how" - and here was the slight pause that would burn at Michelle the rest of the night - "well you have raised your children. But Bristol has certain needs that your kids don't. It's just that she's so advanced..."

"VERY advanced," Michelle interrupted, shooting Ryan a look that caused him to go red in the face. "Yes, I know."

"Then you understand what we're trying to do, right? It's not that difficult. She can play with all five toys from her Chicco Baby Toys Bundle, but only one at a time and for only fifteen minutes at a time. That way she gets a full and thorough experience that helps develop her already incredible visual, aural, tactile, and hand-eye coordination skills." She pointed to the paper Michele held. "All I ask is that you keep to that schedule. You know I'd do the same for you."

Michelle thought about the myriad of reasons why she'd never let her sister babysit for her and smiled. "Shouldn't you guys be going? You'll be late for your movie."

"Oh, we aren't going to some movie. We're seeing Lucia di Lammermoor at the Opera House. It's quite the tragic show, I hear."

"VERY tragic," Ryan said, checking his watch. "But she's right, honey, we need to go."

Jessica and Ryan both leaned in to kiss their daughter goodbye and hurried off to their car. As Michelle stood and waved at the doorway as they drove off, she told Bristol through grinning teeth, "Kid, I'd like to offer you any assistance you need with your rebellious phase. I've got a feeling it's gonna be a doozy."

Back to top