Questionable Parenting Move

Presidents of the United States had a concert in our little college town last night.  This is a rock band, in case you weren't aware of that, not a bunch of political figures from our past.  It's okay, I didn't know that until yesterday.  On the way home from school we heard the concert advertised on the radio, and Madison commented that some of her friends were going.  Later that evening one of them called and asked if Madison could go with them.  She wasn't home, but I knew she would want to go.  I know what music concerts in college towns look like, but she has no experience in this area.  I decided that I trusted the girls she was going with, I knew she was still in her sweats from working out, and even though it was a school night it would be a pretty safe way for her to get a taste of the music scene.

I knew that there would be things going on there that I would not necessarily want her around, but I trust her good judgement.  I figured the group she was going with was large enough and wise enough to get out of a bad situation should one arise.  And frankly, I didn't think she would love it, but how would she know if I never let her see it.  My hope was she would see the debauchery and would know what to expect in the future, should she be invited to another concert.

When she got home the first thing she asked me was if she smelled like pot.  I laughed.  She obviously was not going to try to hide any of the unsavory sights or smells from me.  I know that I can trust Madison to be completely honest with me.  She has a long history of telling me everything, good, bad and ugly.  She thought the music was OK.  She hadn't heard of the band either until that week.  The drunken college students didn't impress her.  The guy smoking pot, was sitting in the middle of the crowd, acting like he was being sneaky.  It was a good experience for her to see the reality of the "fun things" that are available for her to do.  It is one of those bittersweet moments.  Bitter because it was unpleasant in many ways for her.  Sweet because she decided that for herself.  I didn't have to tell her why it wasn't as much fun as she thought it might be.  It is scary as a parent to let your older kids see the world for themselves.  They might like it.  They might go in a direction that you don't want them to.  I have to trust that I have laid a good enough foundation for my kids to stand on.  God is good, and Madison has been a gem.  I'm glad I gave her the opportunity to do some big kid things and see what is out there waiting for her.  I'm hoping she sees how much better Hawaii is going to be.