I let my 8-year-old walk to school alone and taught her to cook at 7. I want her to be independent, like I was growing up.

Tech Insider : Business
José R. Mendoza waving goddbye to his daughter as she walks to school alone
The author lets his daughter walk to school on her own.

Courtesy of José R. Mendoza

I taught my son to do his own laundry when he was 9. Now that he's an adult, he says he's glad I gave him that independence.

Tech Insider : Business
Tawnya Gibson and her son then and now
The author gave her son independence at a young age.

Courtesy of Tawnya Gibson

I started letting my son bike with his friends when he was 8. It gives me anxiety, but I see the value in having independence.

Tech Insider : Business
Kids biking
The author's kids are part of a neighborhood "bike gang."

Courtesy of the author

How tech CEOs and leaders balance AI, gaming, and social media for their families

Tech Insider : Technology, Business, Environment
Two kids sit on a bench in front of a windo with smartphones obscuring their faces.
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Olga Pankova/Getty Images

I wasn't sure if my daughter was ready to sleep over at a friend's on her own. I decided to join her.

Tech Insider : Business
Mom and daughter at sleepover
The author joined her daughter at a sleepover.

Courtesy of the author

My son stayed home alone at 7 and biked across town by his tweens. I don't regret giving him so much independence.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Julie Royce sitting next to her son on a blanket in a park
Taken at Pease Park in Austin. My son is 19 in this picture and still indulges me for family pics.

Courtesy of Julie Royce

I tried to be a good parent by catering to my son's every whim. It backfired, and now he has little self-esteem.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Crystal Hoshaw with her son sitting near a creek
My son would make excuses for why he couldn't do simple tasks or chores. I put up with it for too long.

Courtesy of Crystal Hoshaw

I set up a free-range playdate for kids in our area. Parents take turns watching the group, and we don't hover over them as they play.

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A group of kids in a playground
Sara Pecora took this photo from a distance during her shift as the one parent at the playground.

Courtesy of Sara Pecora

My 11-year-old walked less than a mile away from home. I was arrested and charged with reckless conduct.

Tech Insider
A mother and her tween son standing in woodland.
Brittany Patterson with her son, Soren, 11.

Courtesy of Brittany Patterson.

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