I have to wonder if I'm being overprotective of Mini Red and this could ultimately be my demise with her as she gets older.With school starting I'm a little uncomfortable with the bus stop. Last year the bus stop was just out front of our building and I would let her go on her own. This year it’s a few blocks away. So in the morning I drive her to the stop. Monday, I picked her up from her stop and Tuesday, I let her walk but met up with her as she walked home. She was not happy with me and wanted to walk on her own. By Wednesday I was dropping her off and letting her come home on her own.
Today, I hung out so she didn't have to stand in the rain. She got out of the car about five minutes before the bus was due. Out of the seven kids at the stop Mini Red was the only one with an umbrella. WTF?!?! I could tell she started to realize she was the only one with an umbrella and if she put that umbrella down then I was gonna be shooting out of the car to remedy that thought. Am I being over protective? How could those parents let their kids stand in the rain with no protection?
The bus arrived and all the parents, that were there, dispersed. I turned on the radio to hear about the kids who were hit by a van while standing at their bus stop. WTF?!?!
This is not helping Mini Red's case for independence. But then again it didn't help when she got out of the car and didn't look both ways when crossing. Thank goodness it was another parent. Mini Red realized what she did, or rather didn't do, and I know when she saw that car she heard my voice in her head telling her to look both ways and check out her surroundings.
She is the youngest one on her stop so she can't compare herself to the others. I'm sure this year will be full of her wanting her independence. But for me… she is all I have and I can't risk it, especially, if she can't show me how responsible she can be.
This is a BIG year for us both.
Kids these days are smarter than what you think, you can't be there for her 24/7, I know it is very difficult to let go but the only thing you could do at this point is to teach her in becoming street smart and be independent. I know they don't want to hear it but you have to keep preaching until it sinks on.
ReplyDeleteYour so right! I swear sometimes she doesn't use her brain when she and I are together because she knows I will think for her.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad recently suggested I get back to the gym and use this as a test for Mini Red to be left alone.
At her age I was babysitting a family's four kids. I couldn't imagine her doing that.
I think I'm holding on since I had wanted more children but only have Mini Red. It's always been wonderful to watch her grow but these coming years are scary.
last year in charlotte it made the news tha a woman had dropped her middle school girl off at the stop, she drove away 3 blocks before realizing she had left her bookback in the car and turned around. when she got back to the stop there was a van with 2 guys trying to get the girl into the van. they dropped her and took off when they saw the mother returning. NOW you think youre being too protective??? always better to err on the side of caution. about the umbrella... let her get wet. if she doesnt like it shell use it next time AND being a cast out in friend's eyes is alot more damaging than a flu!
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