This is fantastic! And True........... so very very true! I've had the same dirty looks, snide comments, and eye rolls thrown my way too. No one understands the TERROR we feel when we step outside the door of our homes. The focused attention to the point of draining exhaustion we have to have on our children at all times. The wishing we could just have *our* child walk next to us in the store or the park without the death grip on his/her arm or hand. I got a "why don't you cut the cord already" comment once from someone that never had to deal with wandering/bolting/running from their child. Our hyper vigilance doesn't make sense to some because they don't live our lives. Instead of the comments or rude looks I wish they would ask me! I will explain it too you... I will tell you that my son has very little fear and will run out into a busy street without blinking an eye, or that he will run out my front door and down the street without looking back....OR he will run straight into the ocean without the slightest fear. Do we have a harder life then other's do? Maybe... are we asking for pity about that... NO. Just some understanding and less judgmental comments from the peanut gallery.

Thank you for your words.... They are powerful and true. I hope many more read them.