Not Ready

Wm no longer likes his Before School place. He says it's all girls and none of his friends go anymore. So we worked out a deal wherein he can do his reading there every day and then not have to do it at home (subbing in extra screen time in place of his at-home reading time). Obviously that was a hit. But, he is now insistent that he will be old enough to stay home alone for an hour before school and walk up himself next year instead of going to Before School. After much deliberation, and talking it over with child welfare expert Mimi, we decided we could give it a go. I figured Wm would be thrilled....

Me: So, Wm, you really think you can get yourself to school next year?

Wm: YES. Totally. 

Me: OK. Well, Daddy and I would make sure everything was all set before we left for work. But then you'd be home alone for about an hour. You'd need to set the alarm and lock the door after you. Then just walk up to school.

Wm: WHOA. WHOA. Set the alarm? Lock the door?

Me: Uhhhh....yeah.

Wm: I will do it sometimes. But I will probably forget sometimes.

Me: You CANNOT "forget" to lock the door!

Wm: I'm not ready for that pressure.

Me: You can't just turn the key in the lock after you walk out of the house?

Wm: Not every day.

Me: Seriously? THAT is what you're worried about?

Wm: Yes. I can't remember to do that every single day. I'll just go to Before School.

So, apparently the horror of turning a key in a lock scared Wm off. He is a piece of work!!