Parents need a helicopter pad

DEAR AMY » Our seventh grade son, “Wally,” rides his bicycle each day about a mile to a local train station, where he catches a train to his middle school. He enjoys the independence, freedom and responsibility of his commute.

Last year, the mother of a classmate who lives nearby asked if her son, “Eddie,” could join Wally on the commute. My wife and I agreed.

We think Eddie is an exceedingly polite and affable young man and would seem to be an ideal commuting partner.

Our son, however, complains daily about having to share his commute with this boy, whom he describes as behaving differently when away from adults. Eddie doesn’t seem aggressive or unsafe, but he seems to annoy our son, who is now threatening to quit his daily commute via public transportation.

We would consider making up an excuse to have Wally bow out of the arrangement, but Eddie’s mother is a bit of a “helicopter parent” and probably wouldn’t allow her son to ride alone.

We’d hate to spoil the other boy’s use of public transportation, and we’d also feel bad backing out of the deal with his mother, whom we both like.

Do you see a solution? — In a Commuting Quandary DEAR QUANDARY» Let’s recap: Last year, you agreed to let “Wally” commute by himself to school. He felt free, capable and responsible. He rose to the occasion.

Then you cooked up a deal with “Eddie’s” mom to share this commute.

Let’s say that safety is not a concerning factor here (you seem to feel it is a safe solo commute). Without asking your son first, the message you sent was, “You’re not in charge of your commute anymore. Eddie Haskell’s mother is.”

Now Wally is pushing back.

You think it might be a good idea to invent a lie in order to get your son out of the arrangement that you cooked up in the first place. Talk about helicoptering!

Stop. Back away. Tell your son, “If you don’t want to ride with Eddie, then don’t ride with him. It’s up to you.” Then tell Eddie’s mom, “We shouldn’t have interfered. Wally wants to ride by himself in the morning.”

I think there is some likelihood that these two boys, after a period of adjustment, will probably end up parallel commuting very peacefully.

DEAR AMY » In a recent letter regarding destination weddings, both the letter writer and you used the term PSA. I looked it up, and there are many different definitions. I’m sure I’m not alone among older readers who are very frustrated by all of the new acronyms in use these days. — Old Geezer DEAR GEEZER » I was surprised by the number of queries I received, asking what in tarnation a “PSA” is. I apologize for not spelling it out.

PSA in this context refers to “public service announcement.”