kids' independence

This is the first year that both of our kids are in elementary school.  That in itself is quite a change, as we have had four years of having a kid in preschool leading up to this year.  For whatever reason, something that happened today is as significant in grasping that our kids are growing up.

The elementary school that our kids attend is laid out in a confusing way.  The primary hallway is circular, but there is also a branch off that circle that leads to further classrooms.  As such, Golden had walked NJ (whose classroom is difficult to find) to his classroom a couple of times and CD to her classroom for the past week.  While NJ has been walking to his class alone for several days, today was the first day that CD walked to her classroom without Golden.  NJ passes that classroom on the way to his classroom, so he was supposed to help her get to where she needs to be.

I was thinking about that this morning.  As a parent I am used to my youngest child at all times being under the direct supervision of an adult.  In this case she was under the direct supervision of her eight-year-old brother (obviously, in a setting where there are responsible adults).  The idea that our youngest is now at the age where there can been short periods of time where she has that sort of independence gives me pause.

As a dad, this is all exciting.  I think that it is more difficult for Golden as a mom.  We both know that our kids are growing up.