I Shall Run With Scissors

I guess I'm a "Devil may care" kind of person. Although I don't really understand that phrase I think it makes me sound more exciting than what my real life actually encompasses. 

My dare-devilness know no bounds, why just yesterday I crossed at the intersection after the "Do Not Walk" sign started flashing. I'm wild that way. And I hope to God that my children are too.

I write this initial blog because of what I recently read. A woman commenting about celebrating Halloween in the school stated that she couldn't remember ever celebrating any holidays in school. No memories, none. It's like aliens came down and wiped her mind clean of fun thoughts, and left only those of work, and school hardships for her to ponder. And now she wants her kids to have no part of these types of festivities either. At this point let's take a moment of silence for the passing of her reality and human sensibilities. Okay, that's enough, let's not overdue it.

Look, I'm old okay? I'm about to reach the crest of 54 and I'm clutching my childhood memories like a wino clings to his/her Musketell. I am a "Helicopter Parent" and I admit it. I'm not proud of it, but there you go. I, like most of you want only the best for my kids (no I don't say children, we're casual that way, and I do think sometimes they act like animals, so it works out), and what I end up with are young adults who have an extended warranty on their umbilical cord.

So how does that tie into my original paragraph regarding my perilous behavior? Well just to say that we need to let our kids figure things out for themselves. We need to let them play without cushions. We need to let them climb on the 'monkey bars' without being tethered to a safety line. In school they need to experience all that life offers. They need to be more free to know what it's like to celebrate occasions that maybe isn't part of their own upbringing. They should be allowed to learn about all cultures in a variety of ways. Learn that just because your new Mexican friend eats jalapenos at lunch, that maybe it's not the best idea for an impressionable Irish lad to take the plunge. (yes me).

Maybe let's take the leash off of our kids and let them make more decisions on their own. Although to many of us it is a little scary, but in the long run they'll have a much wider view of life and all it's flavors. And if say, they break an arm riding there bike down a flight of stairs at the school (yes, me again), they, I, we learn a lesson. One that will stick with us all the way through there 55th year of life.

Just sayin'.