Keeping Track of Our Kids

I snapped this picture in a coffee shop near Franklin, TN, last week because I thought it was a clever and diplomatic way to remind parents to keep track of their kids.

I wish I could be so clever and diplomatic. Unfortunately, this will be more bumbling and annoying instead.

Do you know where your kids are? I'm not talking about which part of the house they're in or who they're staying overnight with this weekend. I'm also not asking about where they should be or what they should be able to do at this stage in their development (nothing diminishes our kids' humanity more than speaking of them in terms of "percentiles").

Honestly, I wonder if someone giving espresso and a free puppy to our kids would be enough of a wake-up call to ask the question. How long until we noticed the smell and the barking?

The sign above made me think. Megan and I are to the point now (and it is a glorious one) where we are comfortable leaving our 13-, 12-, 10-, and 9-year-old daughters unattended at home for short periods of time. So far, no one's burned down the house, physically maimed another, or run away thinking this was their one-and-only chance at freedom.

But we still have to attend their hearts and help them deal with things like disappointment, frustration, and anger. We know this because we still have to attend ours regarding the same things. Espresso and a free puppy are the least of our concerns.