Friendly Date.
By rakski
@rakski (156072)
Philippines
March 27, 2026 4:00am CST
My son met with his online friend at the mall last month.
It was his first time meeting up without Mom or the family. 
But of course, I was there. No, the whole family was with him until the mall, then we left him at the cafe shop where they would meet. We had to spy a little from a distance, just to make sure everything was okay.
We tried to act casual, walking around like we had our own business, but our eyes kept going back to him. 
Thankfully, everything went well. They talked, laughed, and seemed comfortable with each other. It felt both strange and nice to see him becoming more independent.
I guess this is one of those “letting go little by little” moments for us parents.
Before I was convinced to let him do this, it was because I could read their conversations on Discord.
I made sure the person he was talking to was genuine and respectful. That gave me a bit of peace of mind, although I still couldn’t help but worry. 
As a mom, you try to protect them as much as you can, but at the same time, you have to trust them and allow them to grow.
But of course, I was there. No, the whole family was with him until the mall, then we left him at the cafe shop where they would meet. We had to spy a little from a distance, just to make sure everything was okay.
We tried to act casual, walking around like we had our own business, but our eyes kept going back to him.
Thankfully, everything went well. They talked, laughed, and seemed comfortable with each other. It felt both strange and nice to see him becoming more independent.
I guess this is one of those “letting go little by little” moments for us parents.
Before I was convinced to let him do this, it was because I could read their conversations on Discord.
I made sure the person he was talking to was genuine and respectful. That gave me a bit of peace of mind, although I still couldn’t help but worry.
As a mom, you try to protect them as much as you can, but at the same time, you have to trust them and allow them to grow.12 people like this
12 responses
@DaddyEvil (174176)
• United States
28 Mar
That was a good way to handle the meet-up between your son and his online friend. 
I'm glad things worked out well for them. 
I'm glad things worked out well for them. 1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174176)
• United States
29 Mar
@rakski Very nice! That's always a good start!
1 person likes this
@rakski (156072)
• Philippines
30 Mar
@DaddyEvil yes, I know it is a good start but I am still scared for him but somehow I have to let him go and experience the world.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (33476)
•
28 Mar
How old is your son Raquel?
You can never be too careful
I think if my parents had been walking around where I was having a coffee with someone I might have freaked out lol
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (33476)
•
29 Mar
@rakski
Ok
Didn't know that.
I would be the same as you
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208661)
• United States
27 Mar
It sounds like you were being a very good mom! Your son should realize how lucky he is!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (77030)
• Philippines
27 Mar
We will never stop worrying for our children. That's being a mom.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (90999)
• United States
27 Mar
Parenting these days is even harder with all the worry that come with our kids being on social media. I'm glad it all turned out well for your son at the mall but you were wise to make sure you kept an eye out from a distance. So many parents these days just drop their kids off and let them wander through the mall for hours without any supervision.
1 person likes this
@freelancermariagrace (29342)
• Philippines
28 Mar
That’s cool. It’s great that you’re doing that.
1 person likes this
