Parents Gone Crazy

I've got a beef.  Yes I said beef.  Here it is.... Over-parenting!  What is it with parents now days that they have to shuttle there kids around like cattle everywhere.  Whats wrong with the bus?  Ever heard of walking?  Got Bike?

I have #1 and #2 in a new school this year, #1 in 3rd grade and #2 in Kindergarten. They have daycare four blocks from the school in a very heavy kid populated area with brand new sidewalks.  (Not to mention I live about 5 blocks in the other direction) Their mother wants to pick them up everyday after school and run them to daycare.  I'm seriously not buying this.  Drive 40 minutes round trip from work to pick up the kids and drive them four blocks.  Can you hear me screaming??  Don't get me wrong, I love my kids but when are they going to learn the meaning of responsibility if they never do anything on their own?  If we continuously hold their hands, are they ever going to remember to put on boots, hats, gloves? How many times have I had to run to the school because #1 forgot her coat, or snow pants.  If it's 10 degrees outside and you have to walk you might not forget your coat.  Instant responsibility via mother nature.

When I was 5, I was walking to school in a Texas border town. When I moved to Minnesota, I can't remember a day I didn't walk to school or take the bus.  Do you think for one minute I would leave my snowmobile suit or snowmobile boots at school? (yeh we called them snowmobile suits and snowmobile boots) Have we frightened ourselves in being slaves to our kids.  Is it guilt for not spending enough time with them.  Most parents sit right next to their children at the table and do their homework.  What is that supposed to accomplish?  As long as #1 and #2 aren't walking thru bear infested woods to get to their appointed safe-house I think we are "OK" here. 

Call me a throwback to earlier times, call me crazy, but lets "let-go" of the tether people and let the kids learn a little responsibility 4 blocks at a time.