In a test of parenting strength, the small child has been granted more independance as of late.

Tonight, against my internal naysayer, she will walk home from the bus and has been given permission to go play with the neighborhood youth with the stipulation that she calls me as soon as she gets home, calls me when a plan is hatched with the neighbor kids and is home at a certain time. I'll be at work but if something comes up, it's a quick jaunt home...

I'm trying to be tough and to let her grow, I know that this "running around the neighborhood" time is valuable and I enjoyed the hell out of it when I was young. I just get myself worked up envisoning all that could go wrong...