Helicopter moms driving around in cars

Helicopter moms driving around in cars

 

On a cold January 1950 day, mom walked me one block to Byrne School for my first day of Kinneygarden.

 

We had to cross Oak Park Avenue to get to Byrne, a few hundred feet behind our house. There was a crossing guard on duty so mom figured I’d be safe navigating Oak Park on day 2. She never escorted me to school again. I cherished that glimpse freedom at not quite 5.

 

I’m reminded about that introduction to formal education as I now live across Newton Avenue from Honest Abe School in Glen Ellyn. Around 2:45 every afternoon a fleet of SUV’s and minivans begins choking Greenfield Avenue in front of Honest Abe. The entire block is metal to metal behemoths. It even extends around the corner onto Regent Street. This goes on till school lets out at 3:30 and beyond.

 

Reducing fossil fuel pollution be damned.

 

Exercise? Fageddabout it.

 

Give Dick and Jane a little freedom from Helicopter Mom? Nope.

 

I’m more dismayed than angry. Life was simpler and less angst filled for parents back then. I can’t even claim I would revert back to 1950 parenting were I reprising that glorious experience today.

 

But if I didn't, I’d sure be using my pedal extremities instead of a climate choking gas guzzler.