Biking and Growing...

Jeffrey has recently been complaining that we don't live in a neighborhood with friends nearby.  I think he wants a cul-de-sac type neighborhood.  One where he can ride across the street or two houses down and hang out with a friend.

This spring, even before he got his bike for his birthday, Jeff and Erin had been riding their bikes near the house.  I love that they are enjoying riding their bikes, but understand Jeff's desire to want friends other than his sister to ride around with.

There are other kids in the development.  Not many, and not the exact same age as E and J, but close enough.  A few weeks ago there was a knock on the door, and 2 boys (who had been walking up the street with their bikes a few nights earlier) wanted to know if Jeff and Erin were able to 'come out and play.'  Specifically they wanted kids to come out and ride bikes.  I hesitated a minute and then realized that I needed to let them go a little bit.  Jeffrey ran up and got his cheap watch from Easter and we agreed on 30 minutes as a check-in time.  And 30 minutes later, they were right back on the doorstep.

We did set up some ground rules.
1:  They must make each check-in time or that's the end of the biking for the day.
2:  They must stay together.
3:  They may not go into the house of a new friend if we do not know the parents.
4:  They cannot leave the neighborhood.
5:  They can't swim at the beach without us.

This has continued almost every day since then.  The kids will ride up to a friend's house see if he wants to ride around (or often go play at the beach).  So far we've only had a few infractions.  They tried with just one of them checking in (breaking rule 2).  They've also missed one or two check-ins, but never by more than 10 minutes.

It's a big step for me to let them out and about.  I'm praying that they make good decisions.  I'm reassured that one of the other moms will occasionally call to see if "so-and-so" is here (so I know there are other moms looking out for them too).

So kids, keep making good decisions.  Keep having fun.  Keep making new friends.  And I guess....keep growing up (there's nothing I can do to stop it anyway).