OPINION

GUEST COMMENTARY

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ready or Not!
Welcome Class of 2019
parents. We have
In 2007, we
hovered over our
moved to Hinsdale,
children managing
and my first column
their daily activiappeared in The
Hinsdalean. It spoke
ties, keeping them
of a transition to
on the straight
the Midwest from
and narrow. The
California. We did
Hinsdale bubble
not know a soul. My
and District 181s
daughter Madison,
close knit culture
about to enter first
have assisted. And
grade at Madison
Mike Neiman when all else fails,
School, was particwe can track their
every move on our iPhones.
ularly forlorn over the move.
Now its time to land that
Her world had been turned
helicopter and give them
upside down.
Now, flip the calendar eight some independence as in
years ahead to 2015. Hinsdale four short years, they will
break out of the bubble
has changed to some degree.
entirely and be on their
Liquor is in abundant supply
own. Its time that they start
downtown, cookie-cutter
making their own life deciNantucket styles homes are
popping up on every block
sions (with our guidance of
and Belluominis is about to
course), learn how to do the
be demolished, probably for
laundry and maybe fry an
more Nantuckets.
egg. We have to trust that we
The big change in the
taught them to be good citiNeiman family is our
zens and better people.
Madison started at Hinsdale
We need to try to be OK
Central this week. My little
when they tell us they are
girl is now a teenager and
going to study at Bubbas
in high school. The double
house, who we dont know
whammy! Everyone warned
and have no clue who his
us when she was born that
parents are. This will be diffithey grow up quick. And they cult, and I still plan on asking
were right.
my brother the cop to do a
Madison had the normal
background check!
angst these past weeks.
Every girls fathers worst
Typical stuff. But, a huge deal nightmare is when boys enter
for her. Will she know anythe picture. We do not want
to be replaced in our daughbody in her classes? Will she
get lost in the maze of hallters pecking order. And no
boy will ever live up to our
ways? Will she make the volstandards. Nevertheless, I am
leyball team? Shes not too
preparing myself when this
concerned about the homework load. Seriously, can it be day comes. Those with huge
garish tattoos and multiple
that much more than HMS?
As parents, we have attend- piercings riding up on motored the numerous orientations cycles need not apply.
trying to prepare us for the
Ready or not, I will support
high school years. It really
Madison during this next
became a reality this past
life chapter. I will also try to
week. While our children
enjoy it myself, Bubbas and
undoubtedly are stressed
all. Go Devils!
about being one of 2,800
Mike Neiman of
students in the Central megaHinsdale is a guest columnist.
Readers can reach him at
lopolis, our anxiety hit a new
news@thehinsdalean.com
level.
This is the age of helicopter

Requirements
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include writers name, address and daytime phone number
documentation must be provided for num-

LETTERS POLICY

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Submission

e-mail to news@thehinsdalean.com

fax to (630) 323-4220

mail to The Hinsdalean, Letters to the editor, 7 W. First St., Hinsdale Il 60521

Questions?

Call (630) 323-4422

The Hinsdalean August 20, 2015 Page 11