Anonymous wrote:
I'm amazed at how lazy people are. At 11, we are still loosely supervising and wouldn't let ours go off on their own.
Seriously? I feel like an 11 year old who is never let outside of mommy’s sight is a kid who is going to grow up anxious and second guessing her every move. At least with my kids, and especially my oldest, who tended to be a worrier, giving freedom was a great way to help develop skills and self confidence.
My kids were freely roaming the neighborhood and walking to school with friends at 7/8. Walking up the street to a friends house (but not freely roaming) at 6. At 2 and 4 they’d sometimes play in the backyard alone with windows open, but I’d supervise in the front yard. At 9 and 11, they walk to get snacks at cvs and go fishing in a creek near us. I’m definitely more comfortable if they are together or with a friend.