(really it was a very very short time on a 68 degree day in our small, low-crime-rate town, and just to pick up a dog who was coming out of anesthesia and had stitches and a collar on and I was by myself and the kids had been terrible when we dropped the dog off for said stitches…)
.-= wesley jeanne´s last blog ..Legends of the Fall =-.

I think it is so interesting to hear how different schools handle different procedures. I drop Dacey off in the drop-off lane every morning. A teacher helps her out of the car, helps her get her back pack on, and then she heads up the steps and into the building on her own – and she has to walk the length of the school to the library on her own, too! I don’t think it’s ever occurred to me how independent she must feel doing that because that’s just how our school does drop-off!

Anyway, I would love to hear your Halloween story! I hope she shares it on the blog. Thanks for sharing your free-range baby step and victory!!

I’ve said before and I’ll keep saying it – I think we, as parents, deserve to be better informed about the TRUTH of what is actually risky in terms of parenting choices and what is absolutely NOT risky.

I know so many in the Austin parenting community would enjoy reading it.

Today I dropped my five-year-old off in the circle at school and did NOT walk her into the school, the cafeteria, and right up to her teacher. This was the first time I’ve done that. Not only that but I was running late so she had to go all the way to her classroom instead of going in to the cafeteria (where her class gathers before being walked as a group to the classroom). Reading Lenore’s book I realize what a small thing this is, but can I tell you…Owen was thrilled. “I’ve never done this before!” she said. She was so excited to be given this small amount of independence.

This weekend I let her walk her sister to my dad’s house, which is right next door, and I didn’t even know if he was home! It felt so daring and scary. They walked down our driveway, up our little rd to his driveway and up his steep steep driveway. But there are only three houses beyond ours on this rd. (one of them my dad’s) and it was broad daylight on a Sunday and they held hands the whole way and I can see them most of the way (until they’re at the top of his driveway). I watched them go, but when my dad wasn’t there, they came down by themselves.

You should have seen their happy faces at being given this small thing (plus they adore their grandpa).

This is such a great book and so freeing to know that I am not a terrible mom because I don’t hover over their every move!
.-= wesleyjeanne´s last blog ..Legends of the Fall =-.

Such an exciting opportunity to get to interview her! Thanks for sharing your personal response.