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// Wanted: Somepony to Watch Over Two Dragons. Bring Your Own Fire Extinguisher. 
// Story: Letters from an Irritated Princess 
// by Tired Old Man 
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Granny Smith,

I thank you for having the patience to consult me for parental advice, even if your letter is filled with the angry scrawlings of a mad bull that was recently dehorned. I understand how you feel about this--not only had Applepack abandoned her delivery duties to play Extreme Home Babysitter, Apple Bloom in retaliation sneaked away to try and complete an obscenely difficult delivery through a fire swamp.

This... well, this is really difficult to give advice on, actually. Both have their side justified in a sense, one wanting independence and the trust of their family to do alright on their own, while the other fears they may not be ready for the world at large, and all the dangers that lurk in the deepest darkness the world can offer.

I suppose, then, that the best advice I can give on this is to see things from their perspectives above. Sure, both acted with a great degree of irresponsibility, but it's not like we haven't either, am I right? 

I even recall the times you've told me of your own coddling experiences with your dear daughter, and how ninety percent of your arguments had broken down with something breaking down at the end, usually your barn. Once, a hole in your wall. I honestly thought you were joking about her bucking strength until I visited and saw her buck a firewood log into kindling in one shot.

Needless to say, those growing years--most notably puberty and her first estrus, if I recall correctly--proved to be quite the trials and tribulations for you, but you've weathered your daughter. You can weather this without breaking a sweat.

I'm certain both would benefit from a bit of punishment, but I request that you be lenient. Don't go off the deep end and ground both of them for a month--keeping them rooted down with a half-hearted explanation doesn't solve anything. Instead, just have a chat with both of them, mare to mare.

For Apple Bloom, let her know that you trust her being alone just so long as you don't come back to a razed barn or home. You know, set a baseline expectation of maintaining some decent standards while you're away, and that they don't do anything spectacularly reckless that ends with somepony put in serious danger.

As for Applefact, kindly remind her that giving Apple Bloom a small amount of liberty and responsibility is the first step in doing what should be done to prepare her for the real world. Without it, what hope does she have to move forward when somepony holds her back? Granted, this is a far cry from teaching her everything she'll need to know, but that's why this is a gradual process, not a one-shot.

Just don't talk to her about taxes. Gods, even I don't have that completely figured out yet because it keeps changing almost every week. It's pure madness just trying to keep up with something that changes so often. Even Pinkie is more stable than our tax code.

Anyway, I've put my two bits forth, but the choice is ultimately yours, Granny. I hope you'll make a sound decision you won't regret later.

Friends Forever,

Princess Celestia

Okay, no, Granny doesn't have the Royal Voice. She can't just shout the problem away, Luna. That's the exact opposite of rooting them down, which is pushing them away. You and I both know that is the worst thing to do.

Oh, while you're here, the Society responded, and requested that we don't bring any of our pets or servants at the meeting for the express purpose of not wanting to walk out with singed hair and flanks.

I know, I'm disappointed too. I thought it was a great idea, but they have other plans that suggest they'd like to live and walk out without relieving themselves in their seats. Looks like it'll just be us.

Uh, no. My birdsitter can cover our two birds while we're out, but she doesn't do dragons. You'll need to figure out something else. Maybe post an ad somewhere that many will notice.