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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]6 is way too young to be without adult supervision. [/quote]

Maybe for some kids, or even a lot of kids, but definitely not every kid. [/quote]

No, for every kid. The end.[/quote]

Six-year-olds used to be capable of being out without adult supervision. Six-year-olds in other countries to this day are capable of being out without adult supervision. Do middle-class people in the US just have particularly incompetent six-year-olds, these days?[/quote]

Kids raise in environments like DC tend to be less competent because their parents are involved in every decision they make.  Kids (like mine) who were raised in more rural environments are very different.  It's not a US thing.  It's a helicopter parent thing.[/quote]

Until they have to drive in DC, then they are helpless.

Each environment renders a child helpless in one way or another, no 1 way is perfect. I am sure my kids will not know how to gather eggs and your kids won't be able to navigate the streets in a city.[/quote]

Not true at all.  We moved to DC when my kids were in high school.  They did fine specifically because they had been given the opportunity to develop confidence.  It did take them a few weeks to become comfortable driving in the city.  They had to learn to navigate the metro.  They had to adapt to a busier lifestyle.  The point is, they weren't at all afraid to do so because growing up they learned to figure things out on their own without a parent hovering over them all the time.

It's less about the physical location and more about parenting style.  The typical DC parent is over-involved in their children's lives, in my opinion.   Everything from planning play dates and extra curriculars to constant communication with teachers.  I'm not saying I think parents should be uninvolved.  However, when you are involved in every decision your children make, you take away the opportunities for them to gain confidence in their own abilities.  You unintentionally send a message that you think they are incapable.

Hell, just read the college forum.  Most kids across the country  (mine included) get into college without the level of parental involvement you read about on this forum.  It makes me wonder -  Are you planning to help out with the job search?  Going with your child on their first day?  When something goes wrong, are you going to email their boss?[/quote]

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