Dear Aunty,
My 12-year-old daughter started high school this year and, being one of the youngest in her year group, most of her new friends are up to a year older than her and much more savvy and mature. She’s been asking to go with her friends to hang out at the local shopping centre on Saturdays but I am worried she is still too naive and that some of the older kids in the group will lead her astray or that she will meet up with older boys and be a bit vulnerable to their charms and advances. But at the same time I don’t want to be the overly protective or strict mum. Should I grant her this bit of freedom or hold off a little longer until it feels right?
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