by Londonista » Mon Jun 13, 2022 9:52 am
I have found it very much depends on the child, my first son I’ve only just started letting him now and he’s in year 9, but my younger son who’s in year 6, I think I could probably let him next year. He’s much more alert to his surroundings than his brother. My older one is also a phone zombie so it’s taken a while to get him out of that habit of walking around with his head in his phone.
They are both fairly innocent though, and of course even though they know where they’re going, it’s other people I’m worried about it. I try and run through various scenarios and where they can get help, if they cannot call.
Obviously always worth a reminder that groups of younger teen boys seem to be a target for older boys and they may be relieved of their phones or bikes etc. I’ve instructed my son to stay always with friends, and that nothing he owns is worth a punch in the face, so just to give it up, and we’ll claim on insurance! My older son is desperate for an Apple Watch but we’ve said no just purely because it would make him a target.
After dark though I never let him go anywhere without me and don’t plan on letting him make his own way home at night for several years.
I have found it very much depends on the child, my first son I’ve only just started letting him now and he’s in year 9, but my younger son who’s in year 6, I think I could probably let him next year. He’s much more alert to his surroundings than his brother. My older one is also a phone zombie so it’s taken a while to get him out of that habit of walking around with his head in his phone.
They are both fairly innocent though, and of course even though they know where they’re going, it’s other people I’m worried about it. I try and run through various scenarios and where they can get help, if they cannot call.
Obviously always worth a reminder that groups of younger teen boys seem to be a target for older boys and they may be relieved of their phones or bikes etc. I’ve instructed my son to stay always with friends, and that nothing he owns is worth a punch in the face, so just to give it up, and we’ll claim on insurance! My older son is desperate for an Apple Watch but we’ve said no just purely because it would make him a target.
After dark though I never let him go anywhere without me and don’t plan on letting him make his own way home at night for several years.