My daughter is 11 and starting to exercise her independence. This feels quite sudden as she was not particularly interested in being independent at primary school. eg she insisted on being walked to and from school after most of her peers were walking home alone and was always happy that I said I'd walk her to and from school for as long as she wanted me to.
Of course that changed when she started secondary and she now barely tolerates me walking with her part way to school - I'm going that way anyway - and walks home alone.
A couple of times she's not come home straight after school and today texted to say she was with friends and would be home later. I guess this is fine, but what boundaries do other parents set? Should I insist that she's home by a certain time? Should I be happy she's texting to say where she is?
As mothers/daughters go I'd say we were pretty close and I believe her to be honest and open in her communication with me, but I'm just finding this all a bit sudden - she's only 11!!