Just let DS, aged 7, take a letter to the post box on his own & I was a wuss.

[Doodle2U]

DS is 7. He is a bit erm....other worldly....but other kids the same age seem quite similar.

Anyway, trying to manufacture some independence for him so we let him take the letter to the post box which involves crossing a road which isn't massively busy but cars can be fairly fast (30 MPH).

So, off he goes and I start to let my imagination get the better of me:-

1. what if he's run over - have we drummed road safety in to him well enough?
   
2. What if he's snatched and bundled into the back of a car
   
3. What if he gets chatting and then lured back to someone's house - did we explain stranger danger to him well enough?
   
   The list goes on.
   
   So I waited outside the house (twitching) and eventually see him dawdling up the road, chatting away to himself (imaginary friend) and pulling his coat over his head & face (think Lala).
   
   When do I know he's ready for such adventures? What age is right for a basic walk round the block with one road to cross?

[PeaGreene]

Oh it's a nightmare isn't it. My DS is 7 and I'm not sure I'd let him do that but then he's a bit of a wuss as well. That's a different topic, but I guess the right age is when you feel confident enough. Only you know your child.