Long distance parenting

Helena has gone with Crystal (Bill's sister) and her family to Idaho for a river rafting adventure. Also on the trip are my mother in law, another niece (Steven and Becky's daughter, Aspen), and Necia (another of Bill's sisters) and at least two of her kids. They are all staying in a hotel in a po-dunk, one stop sign sort of town that the Watson family spent some growing up years in called Riggins.

Last night I received a phone call from Helena. Apparently the sleeping arrangements are somewhat crowded in the hotel room and she was too hot and uncomfortable sharing a bed with young girl cousins. She was calling for permission to sleep in an upstairs lobby on the couches with her cousin, Jacqueline. Jacqueline is Necia's teen aged daughter who is Helena's same age.

I am glad Crystal insisted that Helena call and check with me first, because it is NOT okay with me... of course not! I am frankly astonished that Necia would consider letting her teen aged daughter do such a thing! Well, maybe not that astonished. We'll just leave it at that.

Let's put aside safety considerations for a moment and just talk etiquette. The lobbies (upstairs or down) are public use facilities. No one should feel like they cannot go into them and use them at any time. If two teenagers have taken them over as an impromptu bedroom, it would put other hotel guests in an uncomfortable situation! Not okay.

Of course, safety trumps etiquette any day, and safety was my biggest concern. The lobbies ARE public access! There is no lock or bolt to keep them safe while they sleep! I don't care how po-dunk the town, it is a hotel used by complete strangers and I expect my child to be protected from strangers while she is vulnerable (ie, sleeping)!

Here is the rub, though. While explaining to Helena my reasons for saying 'No', our call was cut off. I don't think she hung up on me, her tone of voice would not suggest it. I think the call was dropped because cell reception is terrible where they are. I know that from traveling there myself.

So, did she obey and remain in the uncomfortable hotel room? Did she disregard my answer and sleep in the lobby anyway? Of course, I will find out in the long run. It is just another test of Helena's integrity and I really hope and pray that she passes this one! Odds are that nothing will happen to her physically if she disobeys (at least, I pray nothing would), but I worry constantly about her spiritual strength; especially when she is away from me and in the company of people who's choices in life I might not approve. Will she honor her Mother?