9 Years Goes By Really Fast.....

My oldest child is 9 years old. I can't believe it. I still see him as my little 3-year old with chubby cheeks and the cutest smirk (which he still has:) Even my 7 year old -- what happened? All of a sudden she's 7 and my baby - my now 5 year old is learning to read and fighting over boys!!!

Yes, I'm a psycho mom because I just love my family. I've waited all my younger life to have a family and as much as they drive me crazy and dream about spending an afternoon on a deserted island -- I wouldn't trade them for ANYTHING in the world. I was born to be a mommy, although I didn't know it growing up. My mom tried to instill the opposite in me -- go to college, have a career, have a really good job -- get married if you want to, have a child and have a nice job and nice things. But I remember while growing up that the one thing I couldn't wait for is to have not just any family but MY FAMILY.

In my life I have alot of 'don'ts'. I don't allow my kids to go to playdates without me -- unless I really know the mom and I have all of their info. I don't allow my kids to ride their bikes in the street unless I'm out their watching them. I don't allow my kids to go on field trips with the school unless me or my DH go with them. I don't sign waivers or medical authorizations allowing people I don't even know to make medical decisions for my children if I'm not present. I think you get my point... and many of you may think that I'm crazy and that I waste alot of energy on things that I should just let my kids do and allow them to be more independent. Well, that is what I have a problem with -- they are kids and I just feel that in today's world, parents need to hold onto their reigns even tighter instead of just letting go and allowing someone to watch their kid(s). I think that daycare has given parents this false sense of security -- this release of those reigns because society makes it ok to let your children 'experience this or that'.

For example, in Kindergarten, the kids have a bathroom right inside their room but when they go into 1st grade, they use the bathroom downstairs. Now mind you, these children are only 5-6 years old starting in 1st grade. I figured during the first couple of months the teachers would bring the whole class down to use the bathrooms. It lasted for 3 days and then on the 4th day my 5 year old was able to go downstairs in this big school by themselves. I was told it encouraged their independence -- HELL NO, it encouraged my child to get lost and scared in this big building with many doors! It encouraged my child to wonder daily, "what if I wait too long --- how am I going to get downstairs fast enough to make it to the bathroom in time?" There is just too much to worry about when you start to go to school full days -- and now they tell me that cupcakes aren't allowed anymore for birthdays!! I think I'm going to homeschool.