Give a Tween a Sticky Styrofoam Cup

or A Teachable Moment

In short, I explained to my 12yo daughter Nola the importance of rinsing non-recyclable/biodegradable objects before throwing them away.

In long…

INT — KITCHEN — DAY
Steve and Nola are in the kitchen. Steve is preparing dinner. Nola is returning after being out with friends.

NOLA (holding a styrofoam cup that once held Italian ice): What should I do with this? Throw it away?

STEVE: Throw it away. But rinse it first.

NOLA: Throw it away. But rinse it first?

STEVE (annoyed): Throw. It. Away. But. Rinse. It. First.

NOLA (mumbling): Fine.

And scene…

This, sadly, is often how I parent, which I see now is a little Psycho Killer…

“Say something once, why say it again?”

But really, I’m being lazy. I don’t want to explain myself. I just want to move on to the next…