Today is the first day of school. Today is the first day I’m turning over a new leaf. No more helicopter parenting. This is Bear’s senior year. He needs to be responsible for himself. I need to back off and let him take care of himself.
So how’s that working out?
8:30 Last night:
“Hey Dad, I’m going out to the bowling alley with the guys. I’ll be home late.”
Me in the background: “Whaaat? Oh no he isn’t! Doesn’t he know that tomorrow is the first day of school? Absolutely not! Tell him to get his little tookus home this minute!”
“OK Bear, just be sure you’re home before 10:00. Mom says remember you have to get your things ready for school tomorrow.”
10:45pm: Me: “Bear get up off your duff and get your clothes laid out for the morning. Pack your football gear, charge your cell phone, put some paper and a pen in a binder and let’s get ready for school. Now! I’m not kidding! Did you remember socks? I’m not going to hear, ‘Mom, I need socks!” tomorrow morning am I? Because you know, you’re on your own kid. Did you remember your lunch money?”
Bear, turn off the video games and get your stuff ready for school like your Mom asked. Be sure to set your alarm, we’re not waking you up.
7:30am: What the hell, Bear? What are you doing? You’re going to be late! No, you can’t drive yourself to school now, you’ll never get parked and make the first bell! Why are you looking for your football gear now? Your mother told you to get all that stuff together last night! How can you be late on your first day of school?
Me: Ooooh, my stomach hurts.
Y’all, I am just not cut out for this hands off parenting stuff. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to clean Bear’s room and lay out his things for tomorrow. My stomach can’t take any more mornings like this.
10 responses so far ↓
1
Jen on the Edge
// Aug 25, 2008 at 10:49 am
Oh wow, I feel stressed just reading it. How did you stay calm? Vodka in your coffee?
Jen on the Edges last blog post..Mamarazzi Monday: Madonna needs to grow up
2
Elaine
// Aug 25, 2008 at 10:54 am
This is so going to be me. I can hear the blades turning already…
3
witchypoo
// Aug 25, 2008 at 11:11 am
They never learn to do that stuff if there is someone else willing to do it for them. Word.
Did you discover why you exceeded your bandwidth?
witchypoos last blog post..Home Again
4
T with Honey
// Aug 25, 2008 at 11:24 am
Teaching kids to be independent and take care of themselves is good and all but not at the expense of the momma’s tummy. We can’t have you developing a stomach ulcer!
5
:: Suzanne :: Adventures in Daily Living ::
// Aug 25, 2008 at 12:16 pm
My motto on stuff like this, is that it is better to let them mess up and be late and blow it now then five years from now, on their first good job. Basically, the price tag of learning it now is much less costly than it is learning it later.
My two bits.
:: Suzanne :: Adventures in Daily Living ::s last blog post..Dutch Babies
6
jill
// Aug 25, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Step away from the kid!! It’s ugly when they go off to college and call you to see why there is two sides in a sink, knowing one is for soapy water, but what are they to do with the other side? Ugly.
Come see me!!!!
jills last blog post..Dear Gawd, I BEG of You!!!!!
7
Leslie
// Aug 25, 2008 at 4:10 pm
kids…gotta love them!
Leslies last blog post..Women of Faith - Infinite Grace 2008
8
apathy lounge
// Aug 25, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Nononono…vodka doesn’t go well in coffee, but it’s perfect in orange juice. Strength to you, Bear’s Mama.
apathy lounges last blog post..Summer’s officially over but she left some heat behind as a lovely parting gift…
9
Badger
// Aug 26, 2008 at 8:48 am
It’s official: we are the same person.
My kids went back today. I’ve been hovering over them for a good couple of weeks now, and today I’m hovering near the phone. Oy.
Badgers last blog post..A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll
10
monstergirlee
// Aug 26, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I hope things went better today. Its tough to let them go. I need to do more of that I know, and mine are only 5 1/2 and 2.
Oh - btw- Kahlua and Bailey’s go really well in coffee.
monstergirlees last blog post..Wet Thor
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