While other moms carried their kids' backpacks, I handed mine a wrench. It taught her independence.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Woman posing for camera

Courtesy of the author

I raised my daughter in Berlin, Madrid, and Dublin. Each country taught me how to parent an independent teen.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Siobhan Colgan and her daughter in a christmas market in europe
The author raised her daughter all over Europe.

Courtesy of Siobhan Colgan

I'm an American in the UK. My daughter started walking to school alone at 10, and it gave her the confidence she needed.

Tech Insider : Business
Girls walking alone to school.
The author's daughter started walking alone to school at age 10.

Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images

My 15-year-old daughter wants a summer job. I want her to enjoy being a kid.

Tech Insider : Business
A teen does a cartwheel in a sprinkler.
The author says her daughter (not shown) is eager to grow up, but she wants her to have one more carefree summer.

Chris Clor/Getty Images

I'm raising my child to be independent. I pay her $2.70 a week for chores, and she has her own debit card.

Tech Insider : Business
Mom and daughter
The author started paying her daughter for chores when she was 5.

Courtesy of the author

I created a screen-free streaming music device. I aimed it at runners, but it took off with kids instead.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology, Travel
Anthon Mendelson headshot
Anthon Mendelson created the Mighty when his iPhone broke.

Courtesy of Mighty

I stayed in the car and let my kids shop alone. It gave them independence, but showed me I have more to teach them.

Tech Insider : Business
Kids at grocery store
The author sent her kids into the grocery store alone.

Courtesy of the author

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

Subscribe to child-independence