An Overprotective Mom or just the reality of post 9/11 & our "new" world?

Do you remember the days when our parents used to trust us to walk to the store, a friends house, home from school? I do. But, those days are long gone in our world. At least they are at my house. I am very vigilant about knowing and keeping an eye on my children and their whereabouts. The last few weeks as they've journeyed from my nest, I've felt a heightened sense of protectiveness. Here's just a few examples:
Last week, the boy child left his binder in the classroom and he needed it to study for an exam that day. I wasn't able to get it that evening so, I offered to take him to school a little early so he could go to the classroom, get the notes and study that morning before the exam. I wasn't comfortable just dropping him off that early without much adult supervision around so I asked his oldest sister to stay with him until the morning staff showed up. She grumbled and groaned but agreed to do it. I knew that would mean that she had to walk across two fields the length of football fields and a parking lot to get to the high school but she is 14 after all it is daylight out and she is rather dependable. I asked her to please text me when she got to the campus okay so I knew she was alright. It wasn't because I didn't think she would go to class & would cut out on the day. It was because I just don't trust people any more. I waited somewhat patiently in my meeting, expecting that text to come any minute. The school day starts at 8:20. By 9, I was starting to freak out. I think I did good waiting that long. So, I sent a text to her dad asking him to confirm with the school she had made it okay. She did...and she finally remembered my request to text me at lunch. Lets just say she got a nice ass chewing for worrying me like that when she got home.

Another story to share, this morning it was dark and gloomy outside. There wasn't a peek of sunlight coming out to start the day. I normally drop the Mouse off for track between 6:45 & 7:00. I always watch as she walks through the parking lot, across the bridge and is greeted by the smiling faces of her new found friends. This morning, I didn't see a soul out there. Coach had said if it was raining to go to the gym but, it wasn't raining yet. I waited a few minutes and she walked back to the car and informed me no one was there. I told her I would drive her to the gym to see if Coach was there and sure enough he was just arriving at the gym. Too bad he can't follow his own instructions! He asked Mouse to have me drive her back to the track to tell her cohorts that they were in the gym working out. I obliged the request and back we trekked to the track. I was stunned and amazed at what I saw. It was still pitch black and you couldn't see the track or the stands from the parking lot and one by one I watched cars pull up and out popped little heads and off the cars went oblivious to the fact that no one was there to watch over the kids. The track backs up to a wooded area that is a practice cross country track. How do they just kick them to the curb and never ensure that they are with someone who will look out for them? What startled me even more was that one of Mouse's friends was being dropped off. Mouse asked her if she wanted a ride to the gym and Cookie climbed in the car while the car that dropped her off pulled away. The person in that car never even checked to see who I was. I have limo tint on the windows of my car so I know she couldn't see me. She watched her daughter jump in the backseat of a stranger's car and drive away. Who does that?? I was really upset that we bring these kids in to the world and just because they start to walk and talk doesn't mean we don't need to be vigilant and watch out for them. Do people here not watch the news and see how many children are abducted every day on their way to school or hurt by people who are supposed to love and care about them? How do you in good conscience just drive off and leave your child in the dark....literally?
I was sharing this experience this morning with someone and I was surprised at the response I got. I was told I'm a little overprotective. Okay, maybe I am. Maybe I will always be since I have experienced firsthand a violent crime. Which leads me to the last thing I want to share in this message. Mouse was given the opportunity to go to NYC and Philly the first week that school is out during the summer. It would be a trip with kids ranging from her age to sophomore in high school. I don't know these people. I'm new to the school and the sponsor isn't even one of her teachers. I was already feeling some hesitancy about letting her go. New York will always be a target for terrorists. I know that. I read this morning about another stifled terrorist plot threatening the NYC mass transit system - the same one my daughter would be using during her stay there and that pretty much assured she will not be visiting the Big Apple any time soon. At least not without me keeping an eagle eye out. I again shared this view and I was again surprised at the response I got. I was told I'm letting the terrorists win with that kind of thinking. Okay, maybe a part of me is. However, I'm not willing to risk my child's life to prove a point. If it were me, I would be all over that like stink on poo. But, it isn't me. It is my child, who may be a little ticked off at me for not letting her go with her friends on this fantastic voyage but, she will still be here and it is my job to do what's best for her. So I admit, I've bought in to the post 9/11 hysteria a bit. If that makes me anti-American that's okay...but I think it just makes me a better parent for caring what happens to my child.

What do you think?

Pandora wavin' my little American flag

XoXo