Ren

"It seems so hard not to wrap her in cotton wool. How have others dealt with
this? Heather is 12."

I can't give you good advice, I haven't figured this out myself yet. I just feel the fear and try to breathe through it, telling myself "they are capable, they can handle this" a lot.
My boys really like to walk up to the mall. It's not far, but we're right in town so there's a major intersection to cross. I suppose I've seen too much in my life, kids hit, adults hit...my imagination gets carried away. I don't like it, but I try not to show my fear. They're really responsible, always calling if they aren't home at the time they previously planned. This week they walked up with another unschooling friend and I was supposed to pick them up since it would be dark. They tried to get through but after the line was busy they decided to walk. It's totally dark and there's a stretch that doesn't have street lights..yikes. I was a nervous wreck until they showed up.:)
Trevor's 14, I hope this gets better.

Ren



"There is no way to
peace. Peace is the way."
~Quaker saying

Inna Manni

I know what you mean! From the time I was 7 I was very much
independent - I walked everywhere by myself, sometimes for miles,
crossed streets, took buses, trains, subways, planned trips to the
movies that were 30 minutes by train and then another 30 minutes by
subway or bus. The Moscow Transit map was my best friend. I walked my
dog through the dark alleys every night, and she wasn't very
fearsome. But now I have a daughter who is almost 3. Seeing the
neighbour's 5 yr old playing by himself outside and walking out into
the street to get his ball... seeing the 8 yr olds riding their bikes
without adults there... the 12 yr olds out by themselves at the
mall... my mind simply boggles at the idea that one day my daughter
will go places without me going with her!

--Inna






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