ASHLEY’S CORNER BOUNDARIES VS. FREEDOM: FINDING THE SWEET SPOT
Our family is always going through transitions. Didn’t some philosopher say the only constant in life is change? Well, he was right. Our newest transition is that Mac is turning 10. We are leaving the land of diapers and “I need to do everything for you” for the land of “What can you do for yourself?” It’s a whole different ballgame. Mac is clearly ready for more independence. But what does that look like? What rules are we going to set? Can he walk to the playground? Could he go to the community pool on his own? Mac is an excellent swimmer. But he’s only 10. Does he need to be able to call me if he is out in the neighborhood? Recently, I found myself wondering if I should get him one of these GPS tracking watches with texting and calling. Where did this mentality come from? When I was growing up, nobody was tracking me. My mom didn’t always know where I was. She trusted me. I rode my bike all over the neighborhood. I knew the rules and came home by 6 p.m. So, why do I think I need to give Mac an AirTag so I know where he is? I went to a community book talk recently about “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt. The premise is that today’s parents are putting far more restrictions on their kids’ playing outside. But we give them freer access to the internet, where predators and social-media harassment jeopardize their mental health. Wouldn’t it be better if they were all at the park?
After that book talk, I decided Mac could take the swim test and go to the pool on his own. If he needs to reach me, he can borrow a phone or use the pool phone. Why do I feel like I need to give him a phone?
Mac wants one — he says all of his friends have phones. “But I don’t want you to have a phone,” I tell him. “You don’t need a phone. You are 10. I want you to be outside
playing and learning to make smart choices.” And during those moments when I think I need a GPS tracker, I’m going to rein in my own anxiety.
You want your kids to be good humans. So, you have to shove them out into the world and say, “I’m going to trust you until you screw up, and then you’re going to experience the consequences.” I’m not sure I’m ready for that. But it’s going to be interesting!
Take a Break
4TH OF JULY COCKTAIL
Ingredients
Inspired by PeelWithZeal.com
•
2 oz grenadine, divided
• 3 oz vodka • 2 oz blue curaçao
• 6 oz lemonade
Directions
1. In each of 2 cocktail glasses, pour 1 oz grenadine and fill with ice. 2. In a cocktail shaker or glass measuring cup, mix lemonade and vodka. 3. Slowly pour the mixture evenly into the glasses with grenadine. 4. Place a soup spoon upside down over each glass. Very slowly, pour half of the blue curaçao over the spoon, cascading the curaçao to create the blue layer. 5. Serve immediately, and let freedom ring!
Solution on Page 4
513TAX.COM • 3
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator