Be the Chaperone

I've had some fun opportunities this summer to be the mom chaperone.

Olive knows that if she checks my calendar and we pick a date that works for us, I'm happy to chaperone plans she makes with her friends.

That looks like her coming up with a plan with her friends - the fair, the mall, movies or sleepovers - and then she'll ask me for dates that would work best.  They text to work out the details and I put it on our calendar.  It's been a really fun way to get to know her friends better and for her to ensure that she sees her friends outside of school.

They agreed upon plans ahead of time - amount of money to bring, goal to try to find something matching for back to school, time frame, as well as the pick up/drop off plan.

They strolled through their favorite stores.

Some shopped more than others.

They each had specific things they were looking to buy.

They tried on clothes and did a lot of laughing + window shopping.

I helped pick out a birthday gift for one of their moms.

We laughed at ridiculous items for sale.

Some paid in cash, card and Apple Pay.

We shopped at the candy store.

And I didn't lose a single girl!  The mall was crowded so that was a relief.  Lucky for me, they were an easy group to keep up with and they didn't mind me hanging out with them.  I think they appreciated my help calculating sale prices and then they'd run things by me since their mom wasn't there.

We headed up for a treat at our house and then the girls got picked up.  It was such a fun afternoon together.  I loved hearing about their excitement and anxious feeling about starting junior high.  They are sweet, responsible girls and I'm so thankful for their friendship.  Olive has been friends with some of the girls since we moved here in 3rd grade.

So my encouragement to you is - volunteer to be the mom chaperone when your kids want to make plans with their friends!