Sounds like that has thrown up some memories for you, sparkling lime.
I have always believed in encouraging my children to be as independent as possible and to learn to look after themselves. As a result they CAN look after themselves. I know that not everyone would agree with me....my sister has a boy just turned 15 and will not leave him on his own for a whole day, not because it is not safe but because he cannot entertain himself for that long.
Playing devil's advocate, whilst there is no doubt that many parents find it challenging to "let go" as their children grow up, I would like to suggest that this can be even harder for lone parents, as we live our lives more round the children than partnered people.
Hi all
I agree I think that it is important for our children to have independance and to have parents who trust them, thus showing them that we expect them to be trustworthy.
I think the rule about being home before dark is a good one while they are younger, however there does come a time (especially winter) when they perhaps need to be out after dark and as a lone parent, you can't always collect them.
I believe that as long as our children are aware of the dangers that are out there and teach them how to act responsibly, they'll be just fine.
A good exercise to do with your children is to ask them how they would react/deal with different situations. i.e
Who would they go to if they lost their key and couldn't get home and you are in work?
If you fell in the home, where and how would they get help?
If they had a problem that they didn't feel they could talk to you about, who would they turn to.
I did this with my daughter when she was about 7 and was really surprised by her responses and her ingenuity of dealing with things!
I just did that with my son (7) and I was surprised, surprised he knew his address as I've always made a point of not telling them in case they let slip with their mum.
Still, that's not a problem seeing as they don't see here any more... but! I asked him who he thought he could talk to if he didn't want to talk to me about something and he said Angie (the dog)
But! other than all that they are not allowed out of my sight until they are at least thirty... and I've already told my daughter that she isn't allowed boyfriends and have discussed with my brother in law and nephews that should she bring any home we are all going to be sat at the kitchen table all rugged, manly and unshaven sharpening knives and cleaning guns, looking as menacing as possible... unfortunately my sister has told her to just take them (boyfriends) round to her house as she wears the trousers there.
Ha ha! Your poor daughter, although this will probably have a good influence on her, as long as she doesn't come home with the toughest, roughest, oil stained, chain swinging chunk of them all!!
It's great to hear that your son has your dog to talk to! My daughter said she would turn to the woman at the sweetshop if I hadn't come home, then if she was hungry she could eat sweets!!
Happy Easter to you and yours, any plans??
Hahahaha!!! My eldest says that when my daughter brings home a boyfriend that he's going to be giving him 20 questions (at least). Yeah, right. I can see my daughter, who's 2 years younger than her big brother allowing that to happen.
Anyhow, we were teasing her before Christmas about who she was givng cards too, and she mentioned a particular lad's name.
"What's the point of love anyway? It doesn't bring you any joy" she said, and flounced upstairs. :-D
I'm afraid I didn't follow her. Looked at the oldest, grinned and came back into the kitchen...
That does make an interesting read.
My mum started work the day I started school - I was four and a half. The key would usually be left in the door so I could let myself in. I walked the quarter of a mile home from school alone - the teachers would cross us over the road first.
I did have two foster sisters who'd arrive home a bit later than me. They were the biggest challenge as they would bully me (and hurt me and break my toys).
The horrid part was being ill and on my own.
It didn't do me any harm, really. Yet my parents were not close by if anything had happened, and it could be two or three hours before they did get home from work.
I understood that they needed to work.
I know when I had the children I was determined not to be in a position where I wasn't there for them - which is why I worked from home and then worked the nights.