Tell me about when you started letting your DCs out on their own.

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

How old, where to, what rules, how did you feel. That kind of thing.

I'm trying to give DS a bit more freedom. He's nearly 8. He's been round the block on his scooter and today he went over to the park (nearby) with a friend.

I'm not sure how to feel about it all.

Tell me about what you did.

I did it slowly. Bit by bit, I gave DD an extra 10 mins in the park or she was allowed to go to someone elses house a bit futher away. That said, I didn't start until she was in the summer going from yr5 to yr6, so you are doing well!

The key to it, and I have told lots of friends with younger lo's this, if you do it nice a gradually over the course of a couple of years, you don't notice so much. It just kinda evolves.

That's it Maureen, DS seems too young for this. But I know at that age I was doing similar, and I hate making him feeling like a prisoner by saying no.

Part of the problem is that one of his friends has been doing all this for far too long and has his own mobile phone (!) so I think DS compares himself with him. His dad texts him when he's to come home.

No, DS is not getting a phone. But I think I need to get him a watch.

Mutt "It's hard but you have to do what you feel comfortable with." That's the problem! I can't decide what I feel comfortable with

If you're not sure, then you have to stand firm and tell him that these are the rules. You're the parent and if you say he can only go to the park with his mates at the moment, so be it. He has to earn your trust. I think a watch would be a very good idea. Personally 8 would have been too young for DD, but then, I don't know your area and you don't know mine, so who's to say who is right.

Is his friend the only one with a mobile? If so, then I wouldn't feel guilty about it. Explain you don't think and feel that he needs a mobile and tbh, he'll have to get over it. He'll thank you in the end and probably value his phone more, when he does get one.

IME, it was months before I felt comfortable with her going to the park on her own. Now, I don't even give it a second though, but it has taken a long time. She's 13 btw!

No don't worry, getting a phone is definitely not an issue - I do think it's weird that an 8 year old should have one and yes, I have judged.

We've talked a bit about trust. I think that's so true.

No one else saying what freedoms their kids have? Is it so boring a question?