We've been working with the charity Railway Children with the help of Aviva and they would like to know how you tackle the difficult balance of keeping your children safe and giving them enough freedom.
In particular they'd like to know:
Our ability to keep in touch with where our children are and what they are doing is greater than ever because of mobiles, but as we relax our hold on them and allow them to have greater independence how can we ensure that they stay safe and make the right decisions?
At what age do you allow your children more freedom and independence and what parameters do you set them?
What discussions do you have with your children about safe behaviour, safe people and safe places to encourage them to keep safe when they are away from the home?
Aviva have kindly agreed that they will donate £2 to Railway Children for every valid comment posted on this thread (up to a maximum of 3 times per user). Railway Children work with UK children who have run away from home and end up living on the streets. Part of their work focuses on preventative education, encouraging children to think and talk about safe people and safe places to help them to make the correct decisions when they are away from the home. You can find out more about the charity and more ways to get involved here
thanks MNHQ
PS please note your comments may be used on the Railway Children pages on MN as well as elsewhere.