I went through this this past weekend - I have a daughter, who is 12. Saturday,  she was at a friend's house and they wanted to walk about 3 streets over, to a park and play in the creek for a couple hours. The friend's parents said it was okay but I was uncomfortable with it. So, I told her no. She was mad, of course, but I couldn't help but know I was making the right choice.

Sometimes, I have to ask my husband if I'm being overly protective/crazy or if I'm being reasonable when I tell her no. He was behind me in the no park, unattended, decision.

We live in a different time than when I was growing up 20 years ago - the fact that this happened on the same Saturday that I told my daughter no just made me really realize that even though she was angry, I was making the right choice.

I kind of alluded to this in another post, but I've always thought the best defense was teaching my daughter how to keep herself safe.  I've taught her bad guys are tricky, and RARELY, look like bad guys.  They will do and say anything to make you go with them.  I've tried to reinforce to her to listen to her gut.  If she gets any kind of feeling, walk away.  They understand early, that "butterfly" feeling, and know that means something isn't right.  My daughter walks home from school everyday, and has since 6th grade.  We usually go through the rules of walking alone periodically, but with Saturday's tradgedy, we did it again this morning.  Be aware of your surroundings, don't stop for any reason, walk fast and with a purpose.  She rolled her eyes, but I know she will follow the rules today on her walk home.  I am a bit overprotective, but I also feel more secure when I know she understands how to handle any situation and keep herself safe.

"Cooties I can handle!" - Mrs. Mia Wallace

I have been thinking about this too. I grew up in the 70's and 80's and my mom was very very protective of us. I wasn't allowed to do a sleepover til I was in my teens. We were also not allowed off our street. We were not allowed to "run the neighborhood". Even with her diligence- a creepy flasher trolled his car down our street one day and flashed himself to me on the pretense of asking directions. Of course at age 12  I had never seen a male personal area and had no clue- I thought he had a skin disease.

I have no fear of "strangers" to this day. I talk to everyone. My mom also taught me that. Well- she also carried a ball bat in her van for a long time because she planned to beat the crap out of someone- a very funny unrelated story. And if you knew my mom, you would think that is hilarious because she has the manners of the Queen of England.

So in a sense she taught us to speak softly but carry a big baseball bat. She taught us to balance being on guard and minding your manners. I am trying to replicate that.

"I refuse to participate in the recession." 

-my mil

My son is14 and he hates that I won't let him "run" like his friends. We had this problem Friday, he and his buddy went to a school dance and I was suppose to take the friend home and when I go to pick them up the friend asked his mom if he could do stuff. It was 9pm and that stuff was go to the movies with girls (my son is not doing that) then he would find a ride home from someone. She didnt care, I have a serious issue with that. How do you let your kids out and not know where they are or who is taking them home? To top it off he was drinking an energy drink when he got here but that's a whole other parenting issue!

LOL GG I was flashed too as a child.  At the end of my street, walking home from..what was then.. Revco.  I got mouthy and said something like "That's all you've got??"  I think I was 13.  We called the police, and of course, nothing happened.

We (my brother and I) had a lot of freedom growing up.  As young as 7th grade (he was in 5th) we'd walk a mile home from school on Springfield Pike/Vine Street.  Now DS goes to the same school and I don't know if he'll ever be allowed to walk home.  We'd also walk the neighborhood, sit on metro benches.. just hang out in general.  I won't even let DS walk up the street to his dad's without watching him go,..and I can see the front yard from my house it's that close.  It's sad that it has to be that way now, I remember walking the "tunnels" growing up, being out walking to and from the park at the end of my street past dark just loving being a kid.  It's sad that I don't know if my DS will ever get to have that sort of freedom.

Nannerpus RULES! 

Word.

Gosh, my husband and I were just talking about this last night. It's awful that we can't let our kids go out and play like we used to when we were little. We have a 6 year old daughter who's "best friend" lives about 7 houses up the street from us and I don't really feel comfortable even letting her walk up there. I can see her the entire way, but still it weirds me out knowing that it only takes a second for someone to come along and grab them. We have quite a few kids that live in our little neighborhood and feel like it is a safe neighborhood, but you just never know.

I'm overprotective of my 2yo and I don't care if someone thinks it's wrong.

I'm really laid back when it comes to keeping his toys put up, having a cookie when he's only ate 1/2 his dinner, even if I tell him not to stand on the seat of his bike and he does. I figure he'll fall eventually and won't do it again. But when it comes to truly dangerous things, like people driving with him, or him running around at the park, I'm eagle eye mom.

So, I'm pretty sure this is a Scotts man, but couldn't find a funnier kilt pic w/o getting banned for a while. Anyway, Happy St. Patricks Day!

I'm especially overprotective of my daughter - it seems like it's always a tweenish girl that's kidnapped and killed!

LOL, RK. I ran and told my Dad because I sensed something was not right but not sure. He got it out of me, then picked up a 2x4 from where he had been working and made us all go get in the truck to go find the dude.

I am glad in a way he did not find him because my Dad would have beaten him to death- and then my Dad would have gone to jail.

ICP, I would be more worried with a girl too.

"I refuse to participate in the recession." 

-my mil

And the truely sad part is, while we are all talking about this (like being too over protective), that poor mother is doing the same thing... All I can say over and over is, "my baby"; this just breaks my heart!

I forgot my what not!