How much are you concerned about your growing children?

We usually think of ourselves as trusting parents. But sometimes we wish to ensure our trust. One Sunday afternoon when I could hear laughter and whispers coming from behind her closed bedroom door. My daughter is fifteen and her boyfriend is the same age. Her boyfriend is a gentle and polite teenager. Usually he visits my daughter on Sunday or a holiday. They spend the afternoon in her room. Sometimes my imagination goes wild and I wish to ensure that everything is fine with them. One afternoon, out of curiosity, I just pushed their door and casually asked them if they wished to have anything to eat or drink? My daughter and her boyfriend were so engrossed in their discussion about a math-problem that they could not notice my presence among them. She looked up and smiled, a little confused. “Mom? Do you need something?” “Oh, I just wanted to see if you wanted more cookies.” “We’re good, thanks!” she said, and turned to what she was doing. I closed the door and leaned against the wall, half embarrassed and half relieved. It was then that I realized how often parents imagine the worst when the truth is beautifully simple. There was no secret, just two kids helping each other learn.