The Bolt Bus

Let me tell you what it feels like to put your 16 year old daughter on the Bolt Bus to Portland by herself: really great!
I have often been an anxious Mom and still can be at times, but as we live through each stage of development, when both parents and kid feel ready for the  next step in risk-taking, it feels awesome.
I have to admit that sometimes I am ready first, before she is or before my husband is, and other times I am running up from behind yelling; "wait, wait this is too soon!!"

This time it felt right as she had solid plans and friends waiting to greet her on the other end of the trip.  She is learning to drive and summer is coming, so it seems like a convergence of maturity happening for all of us.

It reminds me of many stages in the past where I thought I could not take one more minute of waiting for the next developmental stage before going off the deep end.  Usually 3 months beyond my last shred of tolerance the potty training succeeded, or the weaning was complete, or we all slept a full 8 hours without being jolted out of bed (well, that one is another story).

And then there was the first day of kindergarten where I thought I would be driving her to and from every day.  She would have none of it.  She had to take the bus from day one.  As soon as I waved good bye from the bus stop, I  rushed to the school to meet her there so I could stand outside the class with the other teary-eyed parents.  I put on a brave face that day as the bus pulled away but I have to admit I was more than just a little proud of her boldness.