I got an email recently which went on about how simple life was in the 70’s and 80’s when you left home in the morning and were not expected home until dinner time usually at 6pm. Free to explore and play to the hearts content. And as much as I would love to say that I am like that now, I can’t…. I hover!
I am like the wind that wafts gently around. I am always around. I know me letting my children roam on their own, builds independence on their part and their life experience will be richer..but yet still I hover!
I watch my neighbours let their children roam. One of the children, a boy of maybe two is allowed to run around the complex with his siblings ages 9 and 14 who naturally walk off and leave him and he goes on and explores and finds his way back home.
I can’t seem to let them be like that. There is no way that I am going to let them go outside ( and I live in a gated community) without me being right there. I feel as if I can protect them, prevent those inevitable scraps and bumps, hide from them the meanness of humanity, of children.
Though honestly I have gotten better at letting them explore with me at a distance. I let them roam now, but only if I am within shouting distance.
I ‘lost’ my son the other day. We couldn’t find him for 10 minutes. He wasn’t in any of the usual houses that he likes to visit and even though my exterior was calm I was having a panic like no other. Of course, he was good and safe in a house he had never visited before, but I certainly returned to my old ways… I hover!
But you know what even if I hover at least I am sharing in my children’s lives and I am aware of all that is going on both mischief and good
so bear with me while I hover!
Wazhat! Wahzat! 
April 24, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Hi G
You keep on hovering girl! As a parent, it is required of you to hover. When the time comes for you to stop hovering, those kids will certainly let you know!
Great this entry…
Why you all make Lara go into retirement?
Enjoy the rest of the week!
April 24, 2007 at 2:40 pm
G,
This just tells me what a good parent you are. Keep hovering! Things were safer, when I was a child, but that was much earlier than the 70s, and whether you lived in a city or small town, made a difference too. My parents couldn\’t hover as much, having to work, with me being a latch-key child, once I was in first grade. Those were totally different times than today! I was given certain responsibilies that age group doesn\’t tend to have today. Fay\’s comment tickled me: in my experience, children will let you know, even when they aren\’t really ready, but have to learn that they will need to also prove themselves reliable. I wasn\’t a parent that just let my teens run off with the car, if they didn\’t earn that priviledge. It wasn\’t their right. OK…too far ahead in time for your dear ones. They have a wonderful mum! Hugs!
Beth
April 24, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I think my mum did the same thing when we were little so it is the right thing to do. Keep hovering! We were only allowed to play where my mum could see us. All the neighborhood parents knew that and trusted all their kids around our house, so in effect, my place was the hang out spot. We used to make ice-cream and all the kids would just love to come over licking their lips:) My mum was one of the few mums who didn\’t work so they enjoyed all the fun things that they could do over at our house. I think that is why I am all for the stay-at-home mums. Spending a lot of time with one\’s kids is just priceless! Take care and have an awesome week!
April 25, 2007 at 10:10 am
I think that\’s very good,… when my kids go out to play I check on them often. And I don\’t allow them to go into strangers houses. I say keep hovering… I\’m over here doing the same thing! Have a wonderful week. -S-
April 25, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Hovering is ok. Just dont let your kids know you are doing it. Invest in tracking devises. Fit them to the labels on their shorts and you will never have to hover again!!…
Maybe not.
Have an excellent week
Hugs
Yellow
April 25, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I don\’t blame you for hovering. I wouldn\’t let my 2 year old roam the neighborhood either! Good grief!Hope you\’re having a great week!God bless 🙂
April 25, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Hey Sil,
I get the hovering thing. Can\’t be too careful, I guess.
U do what U gotta do.
Peace
Bil
April 26, 2007 at 5:28 pm
I think it might be a good thing that you hover, in this day and age, I wouldn\’t let my eye off my child as long as there were other people around. It\’s a safe and secure feeling to know that they are always in your vision. My mother and I went to wal mart the other day to get a few things for the garden and saw a little boy in a cart all alone. At first I thought his mother is sure to be around some where???? But no he was ALONE!! so we took him promptly to the customer service and finally the mother came running inside saying I forgot my baby!!! Can you believe? I am always hearing about kidnappings these days so I am glad that you hover 🙂
I am probaby going to be a hoverer too lol
Lots of love to you
Jacy
April 26, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Hovering is GOOD. I do the same… I decided its part of the job description!
April 28, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Our days of running free were much different from now adays of psychos and pedifiles. You absolutely must hover these days and I will be bold enough to say that only a GOOD parent does. You cannot be safe enough in this present day with your children, no if\’s ands or buts. Hey, I still keep close tabs on my 17 year old, who hangs with friends on our neighborhood street. If I call and he doesn\’t immediately answer me, I call his cell phone to find out why he left my voice range!
You are a good parent! Talk to ya soon!
April 30, 2007 at 10:37 am
i think that the world is so different that is scares me…
:o) smiles are free and contagious…so pass one right now to the people you love and those you don\’t…soon everyone will be smiling… :o)
May 2, 2007 at 11:01 am
I cannot stop worrying even when they cross the parking lot with me! Worrying, praying and hovering is our job! Blessings!