How much freedom for 10-year-old girl?

[Anonymous]

My 10-year-old takes the city bus to school and walks three blocks to the nearest strip mall and to after school activities.Like PPs said, it is really about the individual kids' maturity level. If she has been pushing for more independence and she is generally a level-headed kid, I would let her.

Safety lessons are important, of course, and don't just say it once but review it often. I ask my daughter, what do you do if someone invades your personal space on the bus? What if someone comes up to you at the store and wants you to follow them somewhere? And every time we cross the road together I remind her to wait for green, stay alert, and watch for turning cars.