Recently we have been challenged with a problem. My husband works very hard and he gets up at 4:30 each morning. His day goes well into the late evening hours. So we set a rule in our home that our children can not have telephone calls after 10:00 p.m.

For the last month my middle daughter has given out her phone number (our phone number) to a number of young men who are very disrespectful.

They have called our home at 2 a.m. and have used some very rude words with my husband. My husband usually remains cool, calm, and collected, whereas I answer the phone and find out it is no emergency and tend to dish out some of what they are giving me, right back to them.

This has all been fun and games for the boys calling our home. Well until yesterday. When I recognized the voice and put a name to it and decided to call his mom and dad at midnight. (giggle)

I found out that his mommy and daddy didn't know he was up making calls that late at night. So they promised me they would be taking the phone to bed with them from now on at 9 p.m. (smile)

Now if I can just get all the guys from the Carnival that is in town to stop calling... arrrgh.

I had some very strong words with my daughter. She keeps saying she wants to be an adult and treated like one. Well I decided to wake her up at 5 a.m. I have not let her go back to sleep. I keep giving her something else to do. It is not yet 9 a.m. and she is complaining about how tired she is and how unfair it is that I do this to her.

I told her I wanted her to live her dad's work day just one time. Then tell me if she would respect someone calling her home when she has been awake and working so long. So we shall see. Should be fun to see how it works out.

I would say by six o'clock she is going to be so worn out she will yell at anyone who walks past her, never mind someone who calls and awakens her from her precious sleep.

I am finding with her the only way to teach her is with hands-on experience. On the job training. So today she is on the job. (I should not be enjoying this so much.)

The young man calling last night was asked by my husband, then by me and finally by my daughter not to call after 10 p. m. He still called after midnight several more times.

I'm looking forward to finding his booth at the local carnival tonight. I have a few words for him. I also plan on talking to the carnival owner (whom I know in person). He is one of the local farmers in town.

So we shall see if his play on the girls and his misuse of information that he obtains from them are part of his job description. (smile)

Another case of "don't mess with this mommy." I may be partially blind... but my hearing is just fine. With a little use of intelligence, I think my midnight caller will be a bit more respectful. We shall see.