While I don't have older children, I do have two small children (2 1/2 and 9 months). I am one of those overprotective, neurotic, ultra-paranoid types, too. Maybe when they are older I will ease up a bit, but for now not a chance. I remember as a kid being able to walk to and from school unaccompanied, go ride my bike for hours around my neighborhood, babysit my siblings and other's children when I was 10 and run to the local quickie mart for a snack. Thinking back on it I think that my parent were crazy to allow us that amount of freedom, but at the same time it was a different world 20 years ago. I cannot watch the news because they inevitably have reports of missing/kidnapped, abused, neglected or murdered children. I have had to stop watching certain criminal dramas because it just adds to my anxiety about all the "what ifs" that could happen to my children. There is a reason why "Dateline" has been very successful in their repeated attempts to "Catch to Predator." They are out there every day, waiting for an opportunity to get to our kids. I used to work for a school district and there wasn't a week that went by when there wasn't an alert for teachers to watch for a specific vehicle lingering too long or person jumping out to grab kids as they walk home. So what if I'm overprotective, don't like to have my children out of my sight, or ultra-paranoid. My children know I love them. We can do activities together that are more than "sit at home all day to avoid the sickos that are waiting to get you" and still avoid childhood obesity and ADD/ADHD. My children, despite their young age, are fiercely independent and adventurous. They are showing me what it's like to discover the world and I am showing them how to do it safely. If that means I'm overprotective then, oh, well! At least we wont be on the evening news!