Tell me what rules/expectations you have with your kid just let off the leash a bit: checking in, mobile phones, 'knowing where they are' etc

[LupusinaLlamasuit]

He's 10, he's pretty much ready to roam a bit free-er, but not sure what boundaries to set.

He currently plays out a lot nearby (with very clear geographical limits and time limits - ie he can't go over certain roads and has to check in with us every hour). He has just - this weekend - gone on an errand to the local shop on his own, and gone to buys some sweets with two mates to the same shop.

I want to give him more freedom but am nervous...

sounds fine to me - the trouble with thee questions is that we all live in diferent places - so whilst i can say that at 10 my child did 'x' it mightn't be appropriate for your child to do the same becuase you live in a big city or something

mine didn't have mobile phones until 13 - and even then they had to earn the PAYG credit - consequently my boys never did have much of a mobile thing going on. dd does a paper round to earn hers. and before that she did extra chores.

ironing? mine were ironing their own stuff at 10

making a brew

cooking snacks.

Thanks. Ah, making cups of tea: that would be good... The 'errands' bit today was fantastic (perhaps the novelty will wear off for him when I send him to buy milk all the time?)

We live in a pretty quiet, mostly rural and enclosed place. I probably should let him roam more...

My DD, 10 in august, doesn't play out on her own or go to teh shops - but we live ina cuntry small town which is a PITA cos everybody drives like an absolute loon and there aren't pavements everywhere

My older 2 are 9 and 7 - 9yo very scatty, forgetful, loses things, but sensible otherwise. 7yo is very competent. They go to school and back alone, play out for a couple of hours at a time unsupervised, go to local shop or a friend's house alone. dd1 stays at home alone sometimes.

We don't really have rules, I just regularly go over how they should behave, what to do if things go wrong, who to contact. They have DP and my mobile phone numbers on little tags in their school bags so that they can get someone to contact us if they need to. And they know which neighbours they can go to for help - we have lots of friendly neighbours who are around a lot. Which does help.

A mobile phone would help except dd1 would certainly lose it so we can't do that. So I just hope for the best and keep reiterating sensible behaviour and checking they do know their home phone number, etc.

I'm not a huge worrier though. and I had a lot of freedom as a child so it seems normal to me.

I almost have the opposite problem - I'm trying to encourage 10 yo dd to have more independence but she doesn't want it!!!!!

'Let me drop you at home [on her own] while I take ds to Cubs' 'No it's OK I'll come with you'

Or

'How about you and walk / cycle to school this morning' 'Naah we'll go in the car with you as you've got to take ds anyway...'

AARRGGH!