Walking=Wings

Like so many modern parents we have struggled with where to draw that line between smothering over protectiveness and due caution. According to Auntie Peggy, we usually err on the overprotective side of the line! However, we are committed to the idea that baby birds need to exercise those wings before you expect them to fly and our fledglings might have to fly sooner than their peers. Not that I'm holding any big secret...on the contrary! It is clear to the casual observer that Patrick and I are clearly 'geriatric parents'. Cannot even begin to give you the count on the number of times a store clerk referred to us as "Grandma" or "Grandpa"!! So by pure actuarial logic, our daughters cannot count on having doting parents for as long as their peers! In order to build up 'wing strength', we have begun practicing independent behaviors. So when Julia excitedly noted that she could walk home from her new school you'd think we'd (okay, me for sure) would be all for it...but....I'm a news junkie....and there's Polly Klas, Elizabeth Smart, and now Jaycee Dugard flashing warnings all over my brain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sigh. BUT to over react would not set the example I want for my daughters either! So we talked, and we talked, and we planned, and we planned some more....... and while Mom sat on the porch valiantly fighting nausea as she waited, Julia took a 'test flight' yesterday afternoon. She walks with other children at first but as the only child on our block who goes to public school the final three blocks are done alone....but I can see the last two blocks from my front porch. "Oh no my Mom isn't standing on our driveway taking pictures is she??????Can she not SEE I'm doing just fine!!! Sooooo embarrassing!!!!" "Maybe if I don't look at her she'll put that darn camera down?!!?" "ENOUGH!!! I'm not going to look up at you or walk another step if you don't put that camera DOWN!!!" Tomorrow she wants to do another 'test flight'....this time by riding her bike TO AND FROM school?!?!? Oh my stomach is soooooo churning already...where's the rain all of a sudden???????