I'm learning that this whole parenting thing can get pretty tricky. And that seems to be the case, increasingly, as my daughter gets older. When she was a baby, then a toddler, even in those early elementary school years, I could pretty much solve any of her problems with Cheerios or Band-Aids or endless hugs or an extra bedtime story. Not so much anymore. The dilemmas are a bit more complicated -- far too tough for a Cinderella Band-Aid.

And, to be honest, while I'm firm with her when I've come to a decision (I hope she doesn't read this) -- I must admit that I go back-and-forth constantly in my own head as to whether I'm doing the right thing, whether I'm being too strict or too lenient. Ultimately, I have to have faith that I've done my best, and hopefully the right thing for her. And, when necessary, I'll own up to my mistakes. 

The cause for our most recent faceoff is Facebook. My daughter wants to become a member. I've said no, and held my ground now for several years. Sounds simple, doesn't it? But, well, not so much. Many of her classmates have been on Facebook for years with the blessing of their parents. Some, I'm sure, have done this without them knowing. Last year, during a sixth-grade safety program about the Internet, about 70 percent of my daughter's classmates said they were already on Facebook.

My tentative plan, at this point, is to allow her to do this when she turns 13 -- the age required by the Facebook site.  But even then, it will be done with so much parental oversight she may wonder whether it was worth it.

I'm not anxious for her to delve too deeply, too quickly into social media. It's a tough world out there. And I don't like the idea of her lying about her age to get on the site. That's one of my fears about the Internet: so much misrepresentation and lying that causes serious, sometimes fatal, problems for our kids. I worry about her safety in our neighborhood and this county; I'm even more wary of the unseen threats in the wide world of the Internet. I'm about as anxious for her to get on Facebook as I am for her to get behind the wheel of a car.

It's become increasingly difficult as more and more of her friends become Facebookers. My daughter has accepted my stance, but keeps coming back when she thinks I might have a weak moment. She's gotten me on days I thought I would cave -- but I made it through. But it's hard. And I'd be lying if I said otherwise. Some parent friends think I'm overly protective. Others, like I, have struggled long and hard with the Facebook dilemma and reached their decision, whether to stay off or on it, with great difficulty. Ultimately, every parent has to make these decisions based upon what they think is right for their own kids, so I'm not judging others. It's rough for us all. Keep your fingers crossed I can hold out until July!