How on earth do I cut the apron strings

[Talith]

DS1 starts high school in September. I feel sick at the thought of him walking on his own or getting the bus - it's nearly a mile, he's not a savvy streewise kid, he's one of the youngest in his year, he's not even eleven yet, I know I should be letting him do more by himself but he's reluctant and I'm not helping!

I'm convinced he'll get hit by a car, get on the wrong bus, or lost, or beaten up...

Please someone give me a slap and help me - any ideas? I thought I should get him to go to the shops with some money and a list... we'll do a trial run of the walk obviously a few times and he'll have his crap phone on him.

I feel absolutely sick about it all and I have to pull myself together! I know some kids are independent from a young age - my younger son is much more savvy already. It's partly his personality, and partly the fact that he's my first I suppose... help!

Will he be walking with friends? Can ypu find out if anyone will go a similar route?
Other than that build it up gradually. Not sure what point you are at but we started with little things like going to the bathroom alone in shops/restaurants. Going for milk or bread to the local shop.
We live rurally so no public transport but my 11yr walks 5 mins to school and has done since around 8. She now goes to the park with friends for a few hours at a time and checks in with a call if shes longer or wants to go elsewhere.
Started letting her stay at home for 30-1 hour. Id be happy but she wouldnt so we are working on that!
She and a couple of sensible friends have been allowed to go to the cinema/shopping for a short while but this is a very recent development.

Hopefully the trial runs will put both your minds at rest. You can spot any difficult roads to cross and other problem areas and talk about ways to deal with them.

Even if you have to do ten trial runs (!) just do it for both your sakes .

I'd leave him at home for around an hour, and when we went on holiday I gave him a room key and he could go and swim by himself in the pool... The cinema is a good idea - I might ask him if he wants to go with a friend. That's a bus ride away - eeep! I could even use that as a challenge... Ugh... feeling sick again, I need to remember he's a bright kid and won't necessarily end up half way up the M6!

I agree that you're just going to have to get some practice in before the year start. Are there any friends that live nearby so they can travel together?

Just agree that he'll text you when he gets to school.