A Mommy Moment

I had a mommy moment the other day. It was one of those moments when you realize your baby is growing up. It was Memorial Day so Jim was home. He was out working in the garage and I was in the kitchen trying to think of something to make for lunch. The kids were riding their bicycles all over the yard. All of a sudden, Troy came running in really excited and blurted out, "Mom, can I go ride my bike in the cul-de-sac?" We live on one of the busier corners of our neighborhood, but the street behind us is a somewhat quiet cul-de-sac. It was on the tip of my tongue to say that I couldn't go down there with him right now when I thought to myself, "You know, Kelly, you were riding down to friends' houses by yourself at his age." Now, granted, there are things that I was doing by myself at his age that I won't let him do yet simply because we live in a different world now, but when Troy asked that question I realized that my baby, my firstborn, was growing up. He was ready for and needed some more independence. I knew I needed to answer him, but was having a hard time with it. So...I took the easy way out and told him to ask his father. I waited a few minutes and then went out into the garage knowing full well what Jim would have said. Sure enough, when I asked where the boys were, Jim answered, "riding in the cul-de-sac."

It was such a strange feeling to know that they were riding by themselves out of our sight. And, yet, it was a good feeling, too, to know that my babies were ready for some more independence. We, as parents, train them to be more independent, yet it can be awfully hard to give them that independence when the time is right. Thankfully, I have a husband who has an easier time at it than I do. Maybe it's a guy/girl thing. :) Or, maybe it's a little too easy for my husband. Shortly after hearing that the boys were riding by themselves I asked where Paige was. Jim answered, "riding in the cul-de-sac." My 4 year old daughter was riding by herself (well - with her brothers) where we couldn't see her! Instead of freaking out, I just asked Jim if he had let Reese go, too. "Of course not," he said. So, for the next hour or so, my older three enjoyed a taste of independence. They kept riding back and forth from the cul-de-sac to our house to check in. They had a blast and, I must admit, it was nice to be a step further down the road of independence. Thanks, Jim.