DD, 8 years old wants to walk to the local shop with friends. One friend is 8, the other 11. Friends often go to the shop.
Shop is 15 min walk away. It is mainly cycle parks, only crossing a small section of a small carpark when they reach the shop. So no roads as such.
I feel 8 is too young (she doesn’t have a phone). She is also on the ASD. (But you wouldn’t know that by meeting her). Her emotional age is younger than 8 and she would be petrified (I think) if a stranger was to say ‘hello’ for example (without me there. For me, she doesn’t have the independence yet to do it in her own. But would any 8 year old????
Also, I’m concerned about her handling cash (covid) and touching surfaces she should and then touching face on way home etc ...
She’s pretty good at social distancing ... but again when I’m there to remind her.
But even putting the covid risks aside, would you let your 8 year old walk 15 mins with friends to a shop? Or am I being a mean parent??!