I don't think you are off base. Every parent has a right and responsibility to keep track of their kids. I think the fact that your kids still do shows that you were able to do it without them feeling like you were just too controlling or nosy. That's what makes it hard. Teens especially are trying to assert their independence and are often put off by parents who want all the details, but if you start young and just make it a standard rule for everyone in your house then it should be easier.

It's not a difficult thing to expect, but some kids, especially the older ones feel that they are too old to be accountable. My oldest girl thinks that way, even though she grew up with us being that way with her, allowing independence yet making her be accountable at the same time. There is however a time to let go, when they are old, even though that's hard to do.

But no, it's not too unreasonable to expect other parents to know where their children are or to be accountable for them, as parents and the ones in charge. Here, around my neighborhood, that's a common thing, unfortunately, and it's becoming harder to keep my little one distracted because she wants to have the same freedom and I won't let her. She expects to have free run at all hours without accountability the way her other friends do. That's not happening!

Mine are still little so I totally know where they are at all times.

In fact, most of the time the youngest is literally attached to me, LOL.

I don't have kids yet so I don't really know for sure how things will go. I agree that we have to let go. Mainly I just think every family is different so there can't be a prescribed way for everyone to follow. However, it is important for parents to be responsible (as you are obviously being).

My parents always knew where I was going and who I would be with. Since I never had much desire to do things I shouldn't it wasn't a big deal (besides you can get into trouble anywhere ). BUT later when I came back to visit and found out that my youngest brother just got to go wherever whenever without having to tell my parents...BOY did I let my parents have it! How unfair! *pouts*

My youngest, who will be 27 in a few weeks, was in Las Vegas when that parking lot bomb went off. I knew what her plans were and I was reasonably certain that she wasn't anywhere around that place...I still was worried about it until I heard from her. Which wasn't right away. When we did get a chance to talk about it, she was apologetic...realizing she had left us hangin'.

There is however a time to let go, when they are old, even though that's hard to do.

You know, I guess you are right, but I still feel that same responsible feeling even though all my littlies are quite big now. I am lucky to have a family that loves one another and they do keep each other informed on things...we all look out for each other. No, I am still Big Fat Daddy and I just can't help it.

In fact, most of the time the youngest is literally attached to me,

Mamielady has a little one like that...she can be just as social as can be but if Mom starts to leave the room...look out!

I think the fact that your kids still do shows that you were able to do it without them feeling like you were just too controlling or nosy

Thank you but I think they thought I was controlling and nosy...hehehe..

As children, yes we need to keep up with them.  But there comes a time when they have their own life, and then we can only hope.  I know where my youngest are pretty much all the time.  My older 2 are well over the legal age, and I can only hope they let me know.

I always know where my kids are. They're young enough that they're usually in the yard or playing in their rooms. If they aren't playing in the yard, we know where they are going and when we expect them back. We also have a basic plan cellphone that we keep available for when the kids are going to be going out of voice range (which, for me, is considerable ... a testament to the teachings of a few retired Army Sergeants I had the pleasure of working with years ago). Any change of plans, and the kids come by and let us know or call us and let us know.

My kids, I know, realize that we don't do this to pick on, micromanage, or stifle them. My wife and I do the same thing for each of us. When I leave work, I give her a call to let her know (given the traffic in the Hampton Roads area ... that's a sanity saver). When one of us is out and about, we call to let the other know about change of location and any changes to plans. It's not something that we force on each other. It's something that we do to alleviate some of the anxiety involved in the world today.

And BFD - that air show? I remember the accident vividly. Watching the coverage on AFN as it happened (and the aftermath) was rather traumatic. I also had several classmates that were severely injured. We didn't have any deaths from it at our highschool, but it was close in a couple cases. We were in Wurzburg at the time.

We all owe our families the courtesy of information regarding our whereabouts, child, parent, or spouse.

Absolutely.

It's not a question of being nosy or controlling, At this age I'm not asking permission, but if I go missing I want someone to know about it. Fast. It's common courtesy - basic safety.

And BFD - that air show? I remember the accident vividly

Thinking about it, I think I will follow up with another article on that...lots of stuff happened that day...too much for here.

It's something that we do to alleviate some of the anxiety involved in the world today.

MamaCharlie's cell phone is permanently attached...few years ago we had some really bad rains in the Swirling Epicenter and on the way back from dropping Mamielady off at work, Mama disappeared for over three hours. Turns out she was not stuck in a flooded intersection...she was jammed up behind a bunch of dummies who were stuck in a flooded intersection. No cell phone...not even a nearby phone booth. I was driving a 68 GTO as a daily work car at the time and there was no way it would get through the floods. She finally got home with harrowing tales of overworked wipers, raging drain ditches and flooded cross streets. And I started to breath again. So the next week we got cell phones and I started shopping for a large 4X4.

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Did I mention they were in their 60s at the time?

Shame on those OLD people....seriously, I wholeheartedly agree...it could have had a really bad outcome. That Yosemite claims lots of folks every year...some even younger than 60.

Shit happens, BFD. It can happen in a heartbeat, and in the most mundane of situations. We all owe our families the courtesy of information regarding our whereabouts, child, parent, or spouse. And we all need to tell those people how much we love them, every single time we speak. Let it be the last thing they hear before you walk out the door or hang up the phone or hit 'send' on that email.

Thanks, Whip. I couldn't agree more...you said best.

And in keeping with Whip's advice...thank you all and let me tell you that you have all come to be very special to me.