Helping 12 year old be more independent

[balia]

DSS's elder brother has just gone off to Uni and this has obviously started DSS thinking about the future. He's asked if he can start doing things to make him more ready to be independent. At the moment he does a few chores around the house and can change his own bed but that's about it. We've suggested going to the local shop on his own, doing his own laundry and making a simple meal.

Any other great ideas?

Going to the cinema with friends.

Buying a meal with friends (something fast food)

Laundry and cooking are definitely good ideas, and will stand him in good stead in the future. Lone trips to the shops etc are also good.

Is he already self-sufficient in terms of getting himself up in the mornings and to school on time? Getting his homework done and being responsible for what he needs to take to school etc? Or do you have to nag/remind?

I think it's rather sweet that he has asked for help with this, but don't tell him I said so! :)

Increase his pocket money but make him responsible for paying for some essentials out of it - e.g. bus fare to school

I think it is very sweet, too - I think he is worried about how brother is going to cope (not our son) but he is generally a very thoughtful child. We only have him on weekends and holidays so don't know about mornings (he's not allowed to go on the bus, his auntie gives him a lift) and apart from his little brother he doesn't have any friends here. He does have the odd friend over for a sleepover, though, so that might be an idea, just add some sort of independent excursion to it?

I like the responsibility with the money idea - I think that is the important bit, not just knowing how to do a load of laundry (for example) but taking charge of it so he doesn't run out of pants/socks etc.