For many parents, the notion of sending their elementary school-aged child on a bike ride to a friend’s house — unsupervised — might be nerve-wracking. But parents also understand the importance of fostering independence in their children.
A recent poll, however, revealed a gap between how much independence parents say would be good for their child and how much they actually allow in practice.
The University of Michigan Health poll showed that 84% of parents of children ages 9 to 11 believe they should have independent time without direct adult supervision.
But only 29% of the parents reported allowing their child to play at a park with a friend, 33% had allowed their child to walk or bike to a friend’s house, and 58% had let their child stay home alone for 30 to 60 minutes.
A similar gap was found among parents of children ages 5 to 8. Seventy-four percent of these parents reported making a point to encourage their children to do things themselves, but notably lower percentages had actually let them.
Without realizing it, the poll suggests, parents could be impeding their children’s road to independence. Experts say major factors at play include parents’ concerns for their children’s safety and other parents’ perceptions.
Experts recommend that reticent parents ease into promoting independence a little bit a time.
Establishing a sense of independence is key for a child to obtain the experience and confidence to become a functioning, healthy adult.
The next time your tween-aged child begs to bike to his or her friend’s house, perhaps take a deep breath and let them give it a go.