Flying the Nest Armed With Mace

Somehow my once little girl who cut her own bangs off, then tried to lie about it while surrounded by hair and holding scissors, has become a 22 year old adult.  Technically she turns 22 in a week.

Here is a recent photo of my daughter Shelby.

Okay, that's not Shelby.  I don't know who that is.  I found the photo online and assigned it to my gay BFF James in my phone.  When he calls me that is the photo that shows up with his name.

Here is the real Shelby.

My oldest daughter Shelby

Shelby is leaving for Madrid later this week, where she will study and then backpack around Europe.  As her mother I go back and forth between being mortified and proud.

Unfortunately Shelby inherited my complete lack of a sense of direction.  I get turned around in parking lots.  If it wasn't for my GPS I'd still be trying to find my way home from last summer's road trip.

Though Shelby suffers from a similar affliction, she is much smarter than I am.  Her 13 year old brother will be screwed when she leaves if I have to help him with his homework.

Our little birds eventually leave the nest and find their own adventures.  Though I'm making sure mine does so armed with mace and basic self defense moves.  I've also made her watch the movie "Taken" with Liam Neeson, 3 times.

It's quite possible that if a stranger approaches her with the slightest hint of inappropriateness, that he will find himself with a kick to the balls and a face of pepper spray.  Some say I've gone too far with my paranoia.  They just doesn't understand what it's like to be the mother of girls.

What do you think?  Are you prepared for your kids to fly the nest?