No more Mother-May-I

Remember the game, Mother May I? My children don't play it anymore. They just take giant steps without even consulting me.

For example: My oldest son moved away to an apartment in Glasgow but left behind 13,000 dirty socks and a broken pizza cutter.

My youngest daughter signed up for voice lessons with my not having a voice in the matter. The only thing she's done lately that she let me know about first, was piercing her ears, and that was because I had to sign a permission form at the jewelry store.

My youngest son however takes baby steps. He takes so long taking out the garbage that I sometimes got afraid he was going to miss the year Y2K.

Yes, my kids have forgotten how to mouth the words: Mother may I? They never ask before they do anything. I never find out until the money factor comes into play, then I'm consulted.

I didn't know my youngest had a cell phone until I received a bill for $152.68. I hollored so loud I lost my voice and couldn't speak for three days, couldn't even speak on the phone!

I didn't know the entire school was coming over for dinner until I heard 13 Pizza delivery trucks pull into my drive. As my front door bell rang. I snuck out the back.

Even the dog has quit consulting me. I would have never given her permission to chew 8 packs of gum and get all 8 packs stuck in her beard and fur and she knew it.

Oh well, come to think of it, I pretty much did what I wanted at their age too never asking my mother if it was ok first. So my kids are taking giant and baby steps but they are still just following in my footsteps.