For subscribers
Learning to let go as a parent obsessed with constant supervision
Social media is just one online habit hurting teens.
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Building up childrens' independence requires mutual trust – and that comes with accepting some risk, says the writer.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PEXELS
Lisa Jarvis
Follow topic:
Last spring, my tween was begging for more independence, starting with being allowed to walk home from school alone. The walk involves crossing a few busy streets.
I was hesitant; she doesn’t have a phone, so she had no way to contact me if something went wrong. But we practised a few times (with me trailing her a block behind) to be sure she was confident of the route and talked about what she would do in various scenarios.
