I've found this a tricky age. Not because ds is badly behaved or anything, more because I'm unsure what your 'typical' 12 year old should be like or should be doing.
I'll try and explain better. When ds was going through primary I would say him and his friends were all on the same level in terms of behaviour, maturity, interests etc. As soon as he hit y7 it was like a massive chasm opened up and you have some kids this age acting like adults (vaping, smoking, fighting, relationships, roaming the streets all the time) and others who are still in the junior school mentality and quite child like.
I'd put ds somewhere in the middle. He does go out with friends but isn't fussed about sleepovers and rarely makes his own arrangements. He's quite happy to spend time with me and his younger siblings or more often, just be in his room alone. It makes me wonder if he's missing out but equally I'm happy that he's home and safe.
We are trying to get him involved in basic household stuff - washing up, bins, hoovering etc but he does need guidance and reminding to do it.
He's ok to be left alone for an hour here and there while I nip out but I don't like leaving him for the whole day while I'm working. I know people with kids the same age who do this. But I also know people with kids this age who have already introduced them to alcohol which kind of blows my mind a bit.
I suppose I'm just wondering what the norm is.