Finding balance

I made a vow not to be a helicopter mom, but there are definitely benefits of being so involved with your children. But what about the opposite strategy, free-range parenting (who thinks of these terms anyway)? I read an article about a mom in New York who let her nine-year-old ride the subway alone. There were lots of negative comments - people who would never allow such a thing, but I don't think it sounds so bad. You obviously have to prepare kids for a situation like this; teach them what they need to know to accomplish the task safely and where they can turn for help; maybe even do some trial runs first. The article pointed out that crime is actually down from when we were kids, yet our parents let us run free. Will I be able to let Kennedy and Macy go out and experience the world, learning to be independent and self-reliant? I hope so, and I hope that I'm starting to lay a foundation that will allow them to develop self-confidence, self-sufficiency and happiness as they grow.

Of course there is a balance in parenting that is hard (impossible?) to perfect. I don't want to hover (but I do want to have a general idea of where the kids are and what they are doing). I don't want to over-schedule (but, I do want them to have some structured activities in their lives). And in general, I don't want to do things for my children that I know they can do for themselves (but I do want to be able to maintain some form of control - I am the mom, after all).

Then there's the balance of meeting the needs of both girls. I feel like I get to spend quality time with each of them alone, and we do lots of fun things together. Honestly, having two kids is easier than I thought it would be. Kennedy is such a good big sister and Macy is so easy going and happy. The two of them are so cute together, and I often take advantage of times when they can entertain each other. Kennedy loves to make Macy smile and laugh. Macy delights in watching Kennedy run around and do silly things. I just hope Macy's first words aren't "just a minute," which she hears many times a day while I'm talking to Kennedy. Like, "I'll help you with that in just a minute after I'm done feeding Macy." Or, "Just a minute, Kennedy. I need to put Macy down for a nap." Or, "Kennedy, I need just a minute to sit and rest!"