A Carter Story

Someone asked for a Carter story, you know who you are, so here goes. When Carter was in kindergarten I took him to school many times. We would drive up and park and I would walk him up to the front doors. So when I took him for the first time this year I stopped the car and started to get out. Carter immediately says, "Grandpa this is not kindergarten. This is 1st grade! I do it myself, you just stay in the car". So I stayed in the car and wondered about just how fast they grow up and declare their independence. 

My youngest granddaughter in Wenatchee is the same way. My son tells me she throws a first class fit if he tries to walk her into her kindergarten class. The oldest granddaughter is 15 years old and she is asking about driving and taking herself to school. I sure don't envy my youngest son and the next few years as Amber starts to drive. 

I have always said that as a parent you need to enjoy your kids from when they are potty trained up to about 6 years old. If you don't enjoy them then, you never will. Once they start school they no longer look to you for all the answers. From ages 1-5 you are the person that has all the answers but once they start school they learn that there are other adults that they can turn to for answers. Also once they are in school they find that there is more than one way to look at  the world and there may be views they like better than yours.