In the 90s I walked to school(two busy streets and one market Square with stalls away) on my own at the age of 7, I was expected to leave the house and lock the door behind me on my own(my parents both left to work by that time), make it back at the end of school and let myself in and wait at home for their return.
Nowadays just leaving a 7 year old at home alone would be a crime.
Sounds like your grandmother would be getting letters from a social worker if she were a parent today.
https://www.citynews1130.com/2020/07/06/vancouver-bus-dad-ki...
Re:Kids need freedom, too
by goldenchrome on Wednesday June 16, 2021 @05:03PM
(#27533441)
I’d rather fight the battle than cripple my own child so they can fit into a pathetic society.
When I was growing up, I did similar things, taking my 5 year old sister on the public bus with me to get to school when I was 10. If I had some pocket change we’d get ice creams from McDonald’s on the way home.
It depends on what neighborhood you live in, but the world is very safe today and if you’re on HN I assume you’re in a decent area.
I think parents have too much time and energy today to spend worrying about their frankly very competent kids. The smartphone thing is a good idea but I really think it’s best to push your kid out of the nest to discover the world themself, lest you end up with a grown up daughter who’s afraid of the world.