Your child needs your protection at this stage - they are too young to make major decisions or cope with certain situations. However, independence never happens overnight.

Towards the upper end of this age range, children begin to try out more 'independent' steps - gong to the corner shop, or walking home from school alone. Parents often feel justifiably anxious and try to retain their control, believing their child is too young for the kinds of freedoms they want.

Try and remember that these are small steps towards bigger freedoms as your child gets older.

'It's my life...'
Parent's fears are justified. The world is full of dangers and temptations but, sooner or later, your child will have to deal with the world without parental help. Let go slowly but think about your own child's abilities. Freedoms are won over time, when you're confident that your child is sufficiently grown-up. This will be the sticking point, since your child will undoubtedly think herself 'big enough' enough long before you do.

It helps if you are prepared to make some concessions. If everyone else is allowed to walk home from school unsupervised, then perhaps it's time to let your 9 year-old do it too. But it's unreasonable to allow her to spend the afternoon at a friend's house while their parents are out, no matter who else is allowed to.