paired up

i went shopping with my dad today. to...The Mall. my mom refused to take me. it's too graphic. but by easing my father behind the wheel of only car with gas in it by saying i needed to go to the library, ( i really did. those cds are two days overdue.) i manuvered the Pickup to...The Mall.
i've needed shoes since october. half of my "nice clothes" were completed by a pair of flip flops. no longer so, and i've been wearing winter shoes since. but i long to wear that other half. not having any money myself, i am dependant upon my parental figures. however, when approached with the subject, my mother shudders and either says, "later" or that the boys are practically falling out of their shoes. she's never really liked shopping herself, especially at...The Mall.
now, the boys have the unfair advantage of feet that are yet growing. i haven't budged since eighth grade. i get shoes once a year. maybe. they get shoes every couple months. and thus i finangled the black flats out of forever young and onto my rather reluctant feet.(i like them, but how can i love them after my flip flops? they're just...aquaintances.) but it got me thinking about the extent to which i manipulate my parents and, quite often, cause contention within their relationship. everyone does it; it's human nature. mom isn't gonna sway, so you sweet talk daddy, and then slip away when the two start to talk. a couple needs to have a very stable relationship before children. while kids do strengthen the bond, it needs to be able to withstand the inevitable tug-of-war that children will inflict upon their parents.
that's my profound thought, and geeky shopping experience for the day. *sigh* maybe if i "forget" my shoes tomorrow it will make me feel better. except that people check my feet now. weirdos.