Aaaaahh, back into the swing of things! I have been so busy I haven't had time to breathe. But that time is over, and it's TIME TO BREATHE!
*Sigh*
Or sigh, whatever. But down to business. I still have a lot on my plate but that's for later. The kids met their teachers last night at the school open house, and they are all set to go. So now I'm having the Do-They-Take-the-Bus-or-Do-I-Drive-Them-To-School Dilemma. I am thinking the bus looks pretty cool. I mean, they would catch it with a million other kids in the neighborhood, and it would be pretty safe.
I remember when I was in first grade, we missed the bus on purpose, (we hid in the bushes, about five of us) and when the bus left we all took off running towards the school, and we actually beat the bus there. We were so proud of ourselves. It was a "look at us we're invincible" moment, for sure.
I think I would kill my kids if any of them did that, today. In fact, I don't think I ever did tell my mother. But then again, she let me walk to the Seven Eleven when I was five, ALL BY MYSELF (she insists that times were more innocent then) so I guess she wouldn't be that shocked.
Times really were more innocent, in the 70's. No one was worried about car seat safety, or the words "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, or whether or not a registered sex offender was living in their zipcode.
I remember riding shotgun with my parents in our little hatchback Corolla--I sat on the console between the front seats. No seat belt. Nothing. And my brother and I would leave the house in the morning and stay out all day (and not check in with our mom) and it was no big deal. Our parents weren't worried about us getting kidnapped or molested by sex offenders or sold into slavery or worse. It just wasn't an issue, back then.
Now, I get nervous when my eight-year old daughter wants to ride her bike beyond our block. Call me crazy, but times sure have changed.
Whew, look at the time! Gotta run and do a million things! But it's good to be back...
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2 comments:
I am glad you are back! Pleased that I checked, just in case.
I am with you 100%. I used to ride my bike BY MYSELF from our acerage into the closest town 3 miles away on a dirt road, when I was your daughter's age! CAN YOU IMAGINE! Not a chance now. NO WAY. I freak out when my eleven year old rides his bike out of my sight around the cul-de-sac down the street. I feel so over-protective, but I don't think it is worth the risk. I am sure nothing would ever happen to them, but why risk it??
I am angry that our kids are cheated out of the freedom that we had. Like you, my siblings and I left the house early morning, maybe rushed in to grab some food mid-day and were gone until dark, when we came back, were forced to take a bath and started all over again the next day. It is SO GOOD for kids to be able to do that.
I know you will be glad to have all your kids gone for a few hours a day so you can write!!
Yeah, I forgot to add that I remember riding my bike to the swimming pool (about two miles away)BY MYSELF and spending all day at the pool. Can you imagine doing that now? Sheesh.
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