10 Ways to Give Your Child More Independence Without Freaking Yourself Out

Around age 11 or 12, your child is probably mature enough to be dropped off in a safe environment, like the movies, a library, or a local coffee shop, for a couple of hours without parental supervision. You know your child and their friends best, so use your own judgment about where they're ready to venture. A solo adventure lets them practice keeping to a schedule, managing money, and interacting with the world without a parent's guiding hand.