I'm an American mom in Germany. I let my 8-year-old walk to school alone — other parents asked me why it took so long.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Mom and son
The author let her son walk alone to school when he was 8.

Courtesy of the author

I put an AirTag on my 8-year-old's bike. It backfired and taught me an important parenting lesson.

Tech Insider : Business
Family photo
The author started tracking her with AirTags.

Courtesy of the author

I gave my kids more responsibility at the grocery store. They rose to the challenge.

Tech Insider : Business
Kids checking out
The author lets her kids check out at the supermarket.

Courtesy of the author

I taught my 3-year-old to dress herself. She's now a confident and outgoing 5-year-old.

Tech Insider : Business
mom and daughter posing for photo
The author's oldest is now 5 years old and very outgoing.

Courtesy of the author

I wanted my daughters to be independent. They carried 'kid licenses' so adults wouldn't be concerned.

Tech Insider : Business
Two little girls walking.
Kristin Howard's daughters first started walking to school by themselves when they were 8 and 6.

Kristin Howard

I wanted to be a 'chill mom.' My son needed something different.

Tech Insider : Business
Child walking on path
The author wanted to be a chill mom.

Courtesy of the author

Most parents manage their kids' social lives. I expect my 8-year-old to do it himself.

Tech Insider : Business
Boy on the phone
The author stopped planning playdates for her 8-year-old.

Courtesy of the author

My kids didn't become independent overnight. It took me years of not hovering.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
People walking in NYC
The author's kids have all moved to big cities.

Courtesy of the author

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

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