What does a cell phone free party have to do with a NY Times article and free-range parenting?

They’re all things that have been on my mind lately.

As I sent my kids off today, money was practically dancing its way out of their pockets.  It didn’t take long for them to tee-up at the local mini-golf and drowned themselves in Cheetos.  As they shared their funny tales and adventures with me later this afternoon, I thought about free-range parenting and the many pros and cons of that movement.  I thought about my desire to let my kids roam and experience and discover and the cold hand of fear that grips me when they leave.  I thought about the list of pedophiles and the child abductions on the news and I held my breath for awhile.  I’ve never quite made it into the free-range club, but I’m trying to help them grow up one step at a time.  Being out on their own is one of those steps.

As you may have guessed, these “steps” can leave me gasping for air.  It’s hard to watch your babies walk out the door, even when they’re moments away from shaving.  I’ve found the cell phone to be a security blanket of sorts during these times.  They can call.  I can reach them.  It’s not a babysitter, but it’s something; it’s a connection we can use if we need to–we rarely do.  Really?  Would you want your mom calling every 4 minutes?  Even I know better than that!  If you’ve read here for any length of time, you know I also have some reservations about kids and cell phones–not them having them, per se, but them showing good judgment and discernment.  I’ve written about texting lingo parents should know and the crazy, and sometimes dangerous, world of sexting.  But still.  I like being able to get ahold of them if I want need to.

One of my concerns about kids and cell phones is that although they are more “connected” than ever, the kids are really less connected than ever–real conversation is reduced to a few characters of witty reparte and this is how relationships are built.  Solid, right?

At any rate, you may recall that when we have kid parties at our house, they are cell-phone free.  When my son received an invitation to a birthday party recently, and at the bottom of the invite it said, “We ask that you respect our request to not text or call during the party,” I beamed from ear to ear.  I just love that.

And finally, on a completely unrelated note, yesterday I jotted down a few things I like about living in a small space for the summer.  How surprised was I to see this article, When Less Was More, in the NY Times today?  What do you think?  I can’t see people running away from their McMansions to embrace a tiny cottage, but it would be an interesting turn of events, wouldn’t it?

Happy 4th!!