<p>^^^^ Emeraldkity4–have you read “I’m Down” by Mishna Wolf? I’m not even going to explain what it is because I’m betting you’ve heard of it if you’re in Seattle, but if not then let me know because it sounds like you and your girls would love it.</p>
<p>I am actually having a fairly exasperating conversation with ds at the moment. I’m taking a break. I said, “If you seemed like you grasped that you might need to keep your wits about you in this neighborhood then I wouldn’t really mind you going back in the daytime.” </p>
<p>They want to go after they get showered etc.–meaning they’ll be arriving in Chicago around 7PM. I’m hoping the other kid’s dad will tell him forget it, because he’s the one driving.</p>
<p>Sad story about that kid. :(</p>
<p>Yes, that was awful to read.^^^^</p>
<p>My tripadvisor friend also sent this:
Minivan rams SUV in mistaken gang retribution on West Side
Young woman dies, and other SUV passengers are injured</p>
<p>[Minivan</a> rams SUV in mistaken gang retribution on West Side – chicagotribune.com](<a href=“http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-suv-gang-hit-04-aug04,0,3814962.story]Minivan”>http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-suv-gang-hit-04-aug04,0,3814962.story)</p>
<p>I said to my son, that I want him to go out into the world and be open to seeing new things and meeting new people, but I want him to use logic and common sense. I said that I want him to have fun, and I want him to enjoy the freedom that comes with adulthood, but that part of being an adult is being aware of life as it really is. Two kids who would’ve been off to college next week have been killed by gang members in the last two weeks. They were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. </p>
<p>I think this information–coupled with the information that the Chicago Air and Water show is going on right now discouraged them from trying to get there this weekend.</p>
<p>You know, parenting is freaking exhausting!!! :)</p>
<p>By the way, thanks to all here. My dh works out of town and didn’t make it home this weekend. Somehow the words of others have more gravitas than mine alone.</p>