Mike and Holly Marion have an eight year old son and a ten year old daughter. Just recently, the couple decided they could leave them at home by themselves, and decided to have an afternoon happy hour last Sunday. “It was great,” said Holly. “I thought we would be worried them the whole time, but it was actually really easy.” Mike agreed. “I left the house with not a care in the world. We only came home because we were getting tired and bored. But we weren’t concerned about the kids at all.” Originally, the couple had planned to wait two more years, but decided to put the kids to the test a little early.
“I know people are going to judge us,” said Holly. “But, we know our kids well enough to know what they are capable of. They aren’t going to start a fire or answer the door if a crazy looking clown with candy is standing there. Plus, we aren’t leaving late at night or for long hours.” Most parents wait until their kids are at least in junior high to start leaving them at home alone, but the Marions believed it was time to cut the rope. “You know, we have been with them a long time,” lamented Holly. “It just felt like it was time for us to get out on our own and enjoy some things without them. Now, I can run to Target by myself without having to make sure Mike is home. This is really a positive development for our family.” Mike is not the least bit stressed about the new development. “Why would I be stressed? I feel fantastic. You know when Andy Dufresne first crawls out of the tunnel and stands up feeling free? That’s pretty much how we feel.” The couple isn’t ready to leave them home at night yet, but feel they are only two years away. “It’s a really exciting time for our family,” said Mike. “Really exciting.”