Wow-things you could never imagine saying to your precious child:  "Dad and I thoroughly enjoyed our pub crawl.  Find your own ride home."  LOLOLOLOLOLOL.  I mean seriously-I think you have to have a teen to appreciate.  And I am so happy to be at this point-and it shocks me.  Truly.  I really did not anticipate how much I would feel that way.  I haven't met this kid who is having the viewing party.  I'm sure he's another speech and debate "good kid." Probably super funny and smart.  Perhaps closeted.  I don't think they're playing spin the bottle or smoking weed or drinking.  Whatever.  I don't need to know his parents. And yes- I realize if it went horribly wrong I'd look like the idiot parent stammering on tv or from the stand,  "I trusted her."  Oh for god's sake.  I'm ready to have my "freedom".  And I know I'm really far from that considering Gabriel is turning 6.  And I'm not saying I'm going to pull an AL.  But I have never (with rare exception) been a helicopter parent.   I'm right there-packing lunches, driving them all to various activities after school-but I don't feel mentally like I'm on them.  I'm not.  The 3 day parent orientations?  Um, no.  Not happening.  I'm not orientating.  THEY are.  I already went to college.  I love them.  I find them fascinating and brilliant and adorable.  I trust they will find friends and love interests that will appreciate them.  But I can't be on that journey with them.  They need to do it themselves. And maybe I'll hear about it.  I hope I'm able to be supportive and empathetic and not psycho.