Anonymous wrote:I’ve sent my 8 year old into Safeway to buy milk, so yes. As 11:30 points out, coaching them on these things in relatively controlled situations gives them the skills and confidence to deal with the world.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When I was eight I rode my bike to school a couple of miles away when the weather was nice. This involved navigating crosswalks, waiting for lights to change, and keeping track of the time to make sure I got to school on time.

As another poster said, land the helicopters. Your kids are capable of a lot more than you realize. And rarely is a perv hanging in Starbucks waiting to snatch unattended 8 year olds.

I used to ride my bike from my house to the 7-11 to buy a snack or to the Blockbuster-type store to rent a movie (remember those?), about a mile away, or to my grandmother's house (a couple of miles), which included crossing a busy arterial and riding on a bridge over the freeway. My parents made me demonstrate that I knew the way and knew proper bike safety. Frankly, there were almost certainly sketchier people in the KOA along the way than there would be in a suburban Starbucks during the day, but no one thought twice. Eight-year-olds are capable of much more than we generally allow them, and its good for them to experience that. If you want your kid to be confident, teach them to be competent.

Anonymous wrote:When I was eight I rode my bike to school a couple of miles away when the weather was nice. This involved navigating crosswalks, waiting for lights to change, and keeping track of the time to make sure I got to school on time.

As another poster said, land the helicopters. Your kids are capable of a lot more than you realize. And rarely is a perv hanging in Starbucks waiting to snatch unattended 8 year olds.

Anonymous wrote:Would you send your 8 year old into Starbucks to get a mobile order - you would be parked near Starbucks and could see her go in and come out but not see them while they are inside. I let my DD go in and crap the munchies she wanted that I mobile ordered. My sis in law was horrified and said she would never let her kid at that age go alone. The Starbucks is in a strip area not on a busy street.

Anonymous wrote:No, I wouldn't if I could not see directly inside the Starbucks. Side and back exits as other posters have brought up are very real. I absolutely want to teach my children guide lines but at that age line of sight is still important. Why test the lines so far and then something happens? I'd never forgive myself.[i][u]

Anonymous wrote:Of course...

I send my 10-year-old into the store to grab a few groceries when her sister falls asleep in the car.

This is why kids go into college without any self care skills.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the child, the area and the Starbucks ie if you are a regular and the employees would recognize your child.

Some employees/stores might now allow or question a child picking up an order. Some might even say they are only allowed to serve adults. They can serve kid a only when the adult is present[i][u].

What??!! They aren't selling cigarettes or alcohol. Starbucks is allowed to sell iced tea to a kid, even if mom isn't allowed. Heck most middle school kids I know have worse Starbucks addictions than I do.

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the child, the area and the Starbucks ie if you are a regular and the employees would recognize your child.

Some employees/stores might now allow or question a child picking up an order. Some might even say they are only allowed to serve adults. They can serve kid a only when the adult is present[i][u].