When To Cut The Apron Strings......

Does anyone remember the saying, "Time to cut the apron strings?"  Well we're not quite there yet, but it's time to start thinking about it. This well-earned freedom for pre-teens means something completely different now than it did when I was growing up. We were sent outside for the day to play and explore, and then we ventured back home when the porch light came on at dusk. Just flip on the nightly news or local news and you'll wish your kids could stay in the backyard for a long time. So how do you make the decision to let them roam just a little bit further?

"Yo, Mom, you're choking me!"

What I hear from my kids is, "Mom, all the kids at school in the fifth grade get to ride their bikes further than we do!"  Most parents say that the amount of freedom they can have depends upon the child's maturity. Kids at this age, *eleven* are learning how it all fits together. They are social creatures in the making.  Are there different rules if you have boys versus girls, or what about one of each?  I for one, am paranoid about both of my kids venturing out further than my own subdivision. Is there strength in numbers? Would we feel better about it if the kids travelled in packs like wolves? I know my wranglers would fit right in there!

I suppose if I compare the freedoms that my kids had last Summer with what's going on now, I would realize that I have already let the apron strings out just a bit.

Thanks for allowing me to voice my fears. I'm sure there are lots of us parents in this orbit right now. It's a path that our kids will be orbiting within for many years to come.  Should I or shouldn't I? Do I cave in or stand my ground?  I suppose that only time and trial will tell!