Quattro my 10 year old has been crossing (quiet) roads alone for years, carries a penknife, can drive a car, ride a horse and competently cook supper for 6.
Just because I wouldn't leave him alone in the house for 4 hours knowing he would need to cut pancetta (I only have Global knives which are so sharp that they would cut through skin like butter) and cook on a gas hob with oil in a pan doesn't necessarily mean I'm overprotective.
I'm a keen cook who makes absolutely everything from scratch and the fact that my arms and forearms are dotted with burns and cuts accuumulated over the past 30 or so years is evidence that even experienced cooks have accidents.