Tell us about the first time you let your child go somewhere on their own - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

[PoppyMumsnet]

It can be a big deal when your child first makes a trip on their own - whether it's to the corner shop, across the road to a friend or the playground, or maybe up to school without you for the first time. Churchill Insurance would like to hear about your experiences of the first time you let your child go somewhere on their own. Tell us where they went, how old they were and how you felt about letting them go. Did you set out any ground rules about road safety or perhaps sticking to an agreed route? Did it all go according to plan? With the school holidays coming up, your DC might be waiting to do their first solo trip then. Where are they planning to go and how do you feel about it?

Please share your stories with Churchill Insurance below. All MNers who post on this thread will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Thanks, and good luck!

MNHQ

[BathshebaDarkstone]

Is my DC's school the only one that doesn't allow DC to walk home alone before Y6?

[glennamy]

I let my DD walk to her friends house when she was 6, it was only five minutes away but I followed her at a safe distance so she couldn't see me! :)

[merlymerly]

The first time I let my son go on his own was to my friend who lives only a few houses away, I think he was about 8 - but she rang me when he arrived, and I waited 5 minutes and then went to her house to join them!

[beeelaine]

The worst had to be when he was about 7 and said he was too big to come with me to the loo when we were out and insisted on going to the mens on his own and ran in there before i could go through the "dont speak to anyone etc" routine - its the longest 2 minutes in history and I am sure loads of men thought i was some kind of weird woman eyeballing everyone coming in and out.

I am a worrier and have found it really hard to let him have his independence - even now he is 14 my mind works overtime if he is more than 5 minutes late walking home. Don't even get me started on the trip with school to France - i didn't sleep, had all kinds of things like terrorists, pranks gone wrong.. all the bad stuff going through my mind, which i know is irrational. I try to hide my worries as I want him to grow up without turning into a worrier like me and I want him to be a confident and independent person and to enjoy the good bits of life! It is hard to let go but you have to remember they are not a baby anymore and its all part of normal growing up to let them spread their wings and learn to fly without mother hen clucking and flapping about ruining their enjoyment! Sometimes I don't know why I am worrying because he already has more common sense than I have!

[stefalfie11]

We started gradually with her being allowed to go over to next doors to play and then it was to the corner shop, the n the park and the end of the road. Doing it that way meant it was easier for me to let her go alone for longer and longer and further and further with less anxiety!

[alsproject]

My son is 8 and I let him walk down the road to see his friend as its not too far

[AngelwingsPetlamb]

I didn't let my son go out on his own until he was at junior school, and then it was just to the park to play football with friends but I always saw them across the roads. Ground rules were obviously not to speak with strangers and to come back at a certain time, and to come straight back if anyone had an accident to tell me.

[Clairescottshug]

Our eldest is 9 and only plays at the back of the house, we have cctv and we check on her regularly, maybe in a year or two she can venture further

[finleypop]

My son was 6 & was allowed to go to the playground 200 metres away. I was out of my house every 5 minutes looking down the street to make sure I could see him & it knocked me sick with worry any time I heard a bump or bang

[amyhalliday1]

I was actually terrified ! They had a curfew and I had to pick them up X

[strawberrisc]

I did with my daughter what my Mum finally admitted she did with me. I told her she could walk to the local shop (just around the corner) but gave her loads of instructions about crossing the road. However, like my Mum, I secretly followed to within spying distance!

I got caught out though on about the third ocassion when she wanted to walk to the shop and I was still in my onesie. I said she couldn't and she asked me why and I had to admit it. She was NOT happy!

[hmariez]

I haven't yet as they are too young X

[rachelmi]

My eldest son went into town on the bus with his schoolfriend. He was about 11 and I was a bag of nerves wondering who was going to abduct him or attack him. Luckily he returned home as planned and I breathed a huge sigh of relief!
( When he went clubbing until 4am some years later I was back to sleepless nights!!)

[lolamia91]

I havent let mine out yet on their own they go out with their older cousins but i would not say until about 10

[Cambam2010]

Last BH weekend we were on a campsite. There was a large play area that wasn't in line of sight from our pitch. My DS(6) wanted to go back to play with friends after I'd already been there with him for an hour. He wanted to go on his own and I let him go with the intention of walking back up to check on him in about 10 minutes. Within 5 minutes he was back at our pitch with a fat lip and grazed knees where he had fallen over. I felt guilty for not being there for him when he needed me but I also appreciate that he needs to experience some level of independence.

[happysouls]

I started off by letting my son go in shops by himself as he was always so shy in shops and it seemed a good idea to build up his confidence in friendly local places where I'd be just outside. He was always so very polite and well behaved in shops too, even held doors open for people so I never had any concerns there.

[jandoc]

it was just round to my sister's round the corner and I was petrified that something would go wrong but all was well and she got there without any issues

[Spices001]

I let my daughter go to the school fair on her own last week, she's 10

[Lua]

Ah! I reme,ber this one well! DH went to the local shop, just a block away, and I stayed home with DD 6 and DS 4. An emergency happened and I needed to get Dh the key to thehouse. I ask my DD if she tought she could do it, she said sure, and I thought of course she could. So off she went. Within 15 seconds I completely panicked. I knew DH would think I was mad to send her, and would keep her with him. But I told her explicitly that she must come back within 10 minutes or I would be worried about her. Of course, in another 30 seconds I am running down the street carrying DS which did not have time to put shoes on!

everything was fine, of course. But I learned my lesson and her next independent adventure she was 10 and armed with a mobile and clear instructions !

[grumpymummy3]

Mine are 12,9 and 6. With the 12 year old he started by walking to school on his own and has gradually built up to going to town on the bus, the cinema etc. The 9 year old is only allowed to walk up to school now we have a crossing lady or to his friends whose house I can see but is desparate for more freedom. The 6 year old is only allowed to his friend nextdoor. Not ready for him to be free yet.

[mo3733]

it was a school trip abroad. I am cool with local excursions but the thought that i couldnt get to her quickly did feel really strange and uncomfortable but it gave my child a confidence in themselves so it was worth it.

[jacqui5366]

I let my son go to the swimming pool to meet his friends, he was 8, we had been together several times, but this was the first time on his own. Although I was apprehensive, he felt 'grown up' and it helped his confidence.

[Lauzipop1]

DD has a nut allergy and we have pretty much sheltered her for 11 years. She has just left primary school and realise she now needs to be a bit more independent but this is hard as she herself refused to walk home from school herself and the school is only 3 minutes away. Last week we let her to go the park on her own to meet her friends and I've been terrified. She is very sensible regarding her allergies and knows to refuse food off other people. We're getting there now and feeling a bit more confident that she can handle herself when out and about. I know I should have a bit more faith in her and think back to being that age myself. I had to get a train to school myself!

[amanda08]

I remember the first time I let my son go to the park on his own. He was 8 years old and the park is right opposite our house so very easy to keep an eye on h im, but I was still a nervous wreck lol. My son was very proud and very grown up

[HollybearFluffpuss]

My dd age 7 as been asking to play out in the street for ages. I think I'll let her when shes 8. I will feel more comfortable when shes a bit older and I'll be setting rules and want to know who she will be playing with and that she cannot wander off etc