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As parents we are constantly questioning ourselves about how we are raising our children as we travel along the path of parenthood.   Every once in awhile we are lucky enough to receive a glimpse of the type adults they will become.   I have been told not only is Walker primarily a well behaved child but he is one of the most compassionate students this particular teacher has taught. 

He is now receiving phone calls from friends and some of them girls.  A neighbors daughter who happens to be in his class called and wanted a play date.  She came over and they played for several hours.  When it was time to go home I reminded Walker to escort her out.  He then proceeded (without any prompting) to walk her all the way home.  I did say to him when he returned that he didn’t have to do that and his reply was, “I know… I just wanted to walk her all the way home”.

It’s the small things that he has learned that will make a difference in the long run.  He put a smile on my face and I don’t even think he realizes how he did it.  Teaching our kids to make the right decisions for the right reasons is nothing easy.  Sometimes we have to let them make the mistakes so they learn for the next time.

It has been a long time since I have written and so much has happened in the last few months.  It was a great summer for everyone.  It was sunshine almost everyday.  The kids attended camp with their school buddies and before they knew it summer math packets and reading assignments were due for the first day of school.  As we weren’t finding out who they were getting for teachers until the end of the summer they waited with bated breath.

Everyday for a week the kids took turns running to the mailbox to find out who they were going to share their next school year with.  Finally the envelopes came and soon there was a flurry of parents on Facebook asking. “Who does your son/daughter have this year”?  Walker even got two calls from friends that day to find out.  We are truly blessed this year to have another great year of wonderful teachers.  Peyton has a teacher who has a great background in Special Education and is a new kindergarten teacher this year.  She is enthusiastic and excited to have her own classroom this year.  Walker was fortunate to be in the same class as many of his buddies.  The phrase “Team Venzie” was already coined throughout class and Facebook.  Although we would have been fortunate to have any of the 3rd grade teachers for Walker.  There was no way he would not have had a wonderful year.  He was lucky enough to have a great teacher last year which has helped him to start his education on the right foot.

Walker came home from his first day and exclaimed, “My class Rocks”!  He even said you were right Mrs. venzie is a great teacher.  Such statements definitely put a parents mind as ease.  Peyton has a great first few days as well.  Although he has had his first few nightmares and seems to want to cuddle more with mommy than usual.  I believe that starting kindergarten has been a little stressful for him since it isn’t just playtime all the time.

I wish both of my children well in the coming year.  Lots of new things to learn and friends to make.

We like to protect our children as much as possible and shield them from harm but sometimes the best way to do that is to let go… just a little.  Most of you that have read my blog in the past remember the horrific incident when Walker went missing from school when he was in kindergarten.  That particular story can be read here.  Though this is technically his second time walking home, it is the first time with permission.

Two years have passed since that time and Walker has grown not only physically but emotionally and it was decided that he be given a little more independence.  Some parents would cringe at the thought of their eight year old walking home from school by themselves.  Just to put it into perspective he doesn’t have to cross the road and walks down about a quarter of a mile to the end of our street from the school.  I am not a big believer of shielding our children from absolutely everything.  They need to learn but best to learn important lessons in life from their own parents or guardians.

It was decided around Christmas that once Walker turned eight he would be given the opportunity to prove his responsibility and independence.  His eight birthday has come and gone so the other day we arranged for him to be able to walk home.  I told him it may be raining and he would still have to walk home because things aren’t always sunny and perfect.  He said with a smile it was okay he would still like to walk home.  Prior to him leaving in the morning we had the discussion that he was not to stop and talk to his friends and that he needed to come straight home. 

Two -thirty came and I headed out the door to meet him on the corner across from the crossing guard.  Like clock-work he came strolling down the sidewalk in the pouring rain with his big red umbrella.  He saw me and he smiled from ear to ear.  You could tell by his smile and enthusiasm how excited and proud he was of his accomplishments.

He has proven to us he can be trusted and acts in a responsible manner.  This is just a baby step to bigger things to come for him as he grows into a young man.  I get excited and sad at the same time of the changes that will occur but overall I love every stage of each of my children’s lives. 

Though they have a lot to learn in the years to come they have taught me much as well.   They have taught us to pick our battles as not every battle can be won.  Choose wisely as they have a memory that is long.  They will make mistakes along the way as we often do but reacting accordingly is imperative to future success and happiness.