Free range kid

Scanning Facebook , I learned yesterday that I am a free range mom. My friend gave me the title which I am glad to accept. As the story goes, a lady in New York decided to give her child permission to take a subway without adult supervision at the age of 10. As a New Yorker, she taught him the ways and means to safely get from point A to B in the complicated system. He was given extra money and a phone if needed.  It became a hot button topic as she was labeled by many in the country as New Yorks's worst mom. NBC ate up the publicity knowing that the topic would not soon be done being discussed. The fact that her son made it home alive wasn't enough for most rather they wondered what if he hadn't made it home OK?  One hundred miles north, I would become a mom also under the microscope. I have run with my son to and from school on occasion for two years now. It is a wonderful time for both of us. We enjoy the crisp mornings, finding treasures along the way and sharing time that really belongs only to us. When we do this, he enters the doors of the school energized and ready to learn. There have always been people that cheer on his efforts, but never so much that I ever see any one else giving it a try on a regular basis. With every journey we have taken together, we have learned something about dealing with the nuances of the roads. After two years of embarking on these regular runs and rides together, we would road test him so he could graduate to doing this journey by himself. He couldn't wait to have permission to take the leap himself. As September neared, he would practice the trip to school countless times with me. He would have to show me his knowledge of turn signals, defensive cycling and generally safety. Following that, he would be tested by his dad as he would give the final go ahead. The day finally came when he would ride away from the house independently. He would be lit like a Christmas tree and have a bright yellow backpack to make him more visible. While I fully understand the dangers that lay ahead of him, we had done our best to prepare him. I waved goodbye, despite the lump in my throat. Out of this experience, he would gain confidence and the ability to conduct himself in public. It would make the difficult transition to middle school successful because he was finding himself on his own terms. His bike would be the only one in the bike rack.  I have received some phone calls of concern and yes, I do have concern. What good mother wouldn't? Inherent dangers will always lurk around the corner and on strait stretches too; it's how we deal with them that makes the difference. I tell people that what Peter does isn't groundbreaking, it's been done forever. Kids have been walking to and from school for eons. Most parents don't experience these nerves until their child gets behind the wheel of a car. For me, the nail biting begins earlier. However, by the time Peter drives, he will truly understand and respect the road in a way most 17 year olds won't. My worry will always be there for him but if he is to grow up unafraid of the world, than this is the path that will get him there. He's a free range kid in a world where people are so cooped up. Maybe that's why he usually wears contentment so well. For his sake take it slow on the roads, it could be your kid out there.