Permission Slips....

So, Monday Taylor presented me with a permission slip to sign.  It seems that the autistic unit at our school is in need of student volunteers and she wanted to assist.  And then she handed me a permission slip.  In the short time it took me to read the note a myriad of thoughts ran through my head.  I thought "Why does she need me to sign so she can help?" and "She is a big girl, she can make her own decisions." Eleven is plenty old enough, isn't it?  I was also a little offended for her, that she would need some dumb adult to say it's okay for her to serve?!?!  And then last, but definitely not least, I felt a little naughty actually applying my name to the parent signature line - a lot like I was committing a crime.  I mean me - a responsible adult - whatever.