ASHLEY’S CORNER When Is a 10-Year-Old Ready to Launch (to the Park)?
I wrote last month about our family transition toward giving Mac, who is 10, more independence. We recently reached a new milestone.
Now, this is kind of the same thing. Mac leaves at 9:15 a.m. to play ball with his friends at the park, then walks to camp, and won’t be home until 2:15 p.m. We still do the usual family stuff at home, but the younger kids notice: Where is Mac?
It was late on a summer afternoon, a time when I would normally have loaded our six kids into the car to drive Mac five minutes to baseball practice. We had already been to doctor and dentist appointments, a camp drop-off, the community pool, and other activities that day. By late afternoon, everybody was melting down. They were hungry. Nobody wanted to get back in the car, and I didn’t want to buckle everybody into the car. But that day was different. I turned to Mac and told him he could walk to the park. He was thrilled! And I didn’t have to load everybody into the car. I fed the other kids dinner, got them into bed, and cleaned everything up before Mac returned. At that moment, it was great. But I couldn’t stop feeling a little tug. Omigosh. It’s starting. In just another year, he’s going to be saying, “I’m going to my friend’s house. Bye!” And I won’t see him. He’s going to be gone! When I first had children, I was in love with the baby phase. I remember thinking I would miss that when it was gone. Then, when Mac went off to kindergarten, I sobbed because we wouldn’t be able to hang out. But he loves school, learning, and being with his friends.
He is out with his friends. He is gone.
I have been talking with friends about the importance of giving our kids more responsibility and freedom in the real world, instead of handing them a smartphone and letting them disappear into gaming and texting. Mac is fine roaming the neighborhood like I used to do as a kid. I won’t give him a smartphone. I will get him a normal watch that just tells time. Following our rules will be his responsibility, or he will lose privileges. Like everything else in family life, though, it’s a work in progress. I would love to hear from you, readers: How are you dealing with the smartphone issue and your kids’ transition to independence?
Take a Break
BARBECUE CHICKEN FRENCH BREAD PIZZA
Ingredients
Inspired by FromValeriesKitchen.com
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces • 1 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt • Fresh ground pepper, to taste • 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp barbecue sauce, divided
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce • 1 loaf French bread
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion • 8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Line baking sheet with foil. 2. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken with seasoned salt and pepper. 3. Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp barbecue sauce. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, remove skillet from heat, and set aside. 4. In a small bowl, combine remaining barbecue sauce and marinara sauce. 5. Cut French bread in half and place on prepared baking sheet. Coat with the sauce mixture, top with chicken and red onions, then add shredded cheeses. 6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. 7. Remove from oven and top with chopped cilantro. Allow to sit for about 5 minutes before serving!
Solution on Page 4
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