letting go.. or not..

It didn't hit me until this morning. We were eating breakfast (full of fruits, proteins, and other good stuff you are supposed to eat... just don't question the kids about it..) at the table when Noah started talking about school. Chris asked him if he met anyone new and said, "yeah". What a relief, I thought. So they started talking about this new boy that he met. I knew he had met a new friend, he told me yesterday, but really didn't say too much about him. I didn't want to be a nagging mother, so I just let it go. Of course, Daddy's are cool and it's o.k. to tell them about things going on, so he was talking about the kid with him. Then I heard it... It was almost said in a slow motion type voice, "heeeeeeee hhhaaaaaaaassss Loooooooooooooong haaaaaaiiiiiiiiiir" (for those you can't read "slow motion typing" it says, "he has long hair".) I quickly went in to mama bear mode.. "Uh, how long of hair????" what?? this freak boy is going to be friends with Noah?? Long hair first.. what's next? drugs, alcohol, and dare I say it.. but.. PANTS ON THE GROUND?????????????? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Growing up in my house when I was little, that just wasn't an option. The longest Dustin could have his hair was just long enough to comb to the side but nothing over the ears, or down the neck. Noah has had nothing other than pretty much crew cut type cuts (not exactly crew cuts, but not near long enough to comb over). So, what is he doing hanging with this hoodlum??? oi! Noah told me that this boys hair is a little below the top of his ears and a little longer than Noahs on the neck. Oh, that's a little better than what I was imagining, but it starts like that.. then a little longer, and a little longer, then the alcohol, drugs.. and pants on the ground!!! He will be a druggy by intermediate if he keeps hanging with this boy!! So, what do I do?? As any sane mother does, I lecture him on the way to school.

Me- you know Noah, I'm so glad you are making friends!!! But remember your old friends are still at recess with you, so don't forget to play with THEM during recess. And we will still have playdates with your old friends from kinder.. and maybe they will be in your second grade class.. and

Noah - but that's a long time to wait to play with friends mom..

Me- true, you can play with new friends, too.. but remember you HAVE to listen to your teacher, and you BETTER NOT get in to trouble, and always do what you are told, and never..

Noah - mom, i'm a good boy!!

Me - I know, I know..

I guess I need to stop lecturing the poor kid. He NEVER gets in trouble at school, he is so good, but if I keep up the lecturing he will go to the "dark side". It just hit me this morning that I no longer have control over who he is friends with. Sure I can guide him, but really, he is with these kids 8 hours a day.. how scary! I need to trust him to make good decisions. After all, his friends he chose last year were GREAT kids. I know he will choose the same this year... but it wouldn't hurt my sanity if a pair of scissors were taken to that kids hair.... Papa?? up for the job??