What age?

[cartman99]

Times have changed since I was young, I would go to the local shop for my mum at age 10, it wasnt to far.

I have a little girl who is 7, she isnt old enough to be doing these sorts of things but as a guideline what age have you.........

1) Entrusted the making of a brew to your child
2) Let them out on their bikes away from the road you live on.

3) Set them to the shop on an errand.

I dont want to expose my girl to potential danger but neither do i want to wrap her in cotton wool.

Does this make sense?

[koolkid]

i have 2 children and i let them go to the local newsagents which was out of sight of my house when my daughter was 8. i timed how long it took and waited with baited breath until she returned safe. I have also followed my children to the shops at a distance and hid behind cars and walls. This was when they both went out in case they had a row and split up. i know how hard it is to judge these things and i deceided that my children were mature enough to go. now they are 14 (daughter) 12 (son) they go out all the time with their friends and i still worry. it depends on your daughter and wether you mind looking a plonker following behind hiding. i didn't mind but got some funny looks.

[cartman99]

thanks, you seem to know exactly where i am coming from.

Very kind x

[missrandom]

oh god tell me about it!! my son is nearly 7 and my daughter nearly 4. I havent got a clue!! sorry. I like you want to give them some freedom, but there is so much too worry about, nowdays. I think I'd let my son up to the shops at about 9 or 10 as he is very sensible, as for my daughter, I am sure she's gonna give me a run for my money, she's already telling me she cant wait until she's old enough to go out with "big" girls!! she's only 3 yikes!!!

[Fairie]

It is such a difficult question to answer, I have 2 boys aged nearly 13, and 11 and a girl aged 9. My boys have been going out on thier bikes for rides for years now, probably aged 10 and 8. but the 8 year old is very mature for his age and does everything his older brother does. My 9 year old daughter on the other hand i feel completley different about, i just dont feel brave enough to let her do things and i am not sure if it is because she is a girl or because i have since realised the world can be a horrible place, i have started taking her to the local park to meet with her friends and then collecting her again 2 hours later, this is terrifying but i feel for her sake i hav to give her some freedom.