"Are Modern Kids Coddled?"

I was 7 years old when I had to ride 2 city buses alone for a half hour trip to school. I did during the 10 years of public transport have about 3 experiences of men exposing themselves. The best way learned to handle that situation was to laugh loudly point and say "look everyone at that man's wee tiny thing" they always got off at the next stop before they got beat up or the police were called (no cell phones in these days). The first time it was scary but as I had a brother I knew what it was so it did not do me any harm.

Hi cynddvs! I do agree with you. I don't think I will let my 9 year old child or my niece or nephew to wander around alone. There are a lot of sick people wandering around too here in our country. I would like them to gain independence but they can have that when they are older. Besides I can teach them independence in other ways and not letting them ride a public transportation all by themselves. I would rather have them safe than sorry. Just my thoughts dear friend. Take care and have a nice day!

Safety is important, and I don't think a 9 year old should be wandering about on their own. I'm big for independence, my parents always taught me that I should try to handle as much as I could on my own. And anyone who knows me can vouch for that, amongst the fact I'm a very responsible person, despite being pretty young still. I do think parents coddle their kids alot more...but mostly in the sense that parents usually overspoil their kids alot these days, giving them anything and everything they want. Not making them work for nothing. But I don't think it can be called coddling for walking with your 9 year old to wherever they wanna go.

I think it depends on the child, as to how much independence they should have. Some kids are entirely capable of being out and about on their own. I knew how to ride the subways of Chicago at that age, though my Mom didn't know I would go downtown by myself, she thought I was just going to go shopping the avenue, where most of the neighborhood people shopped. I knew enough to avoid trouble from strangers. Growing up in the inner city, I believe prepares a child very well in safety. My mom took me around a lot, and she taught me very well too. My friends from the neighborhood were all pretty independent too. When I see kids today who are so babied, I'm amazed. I did worry about my kids when they were growing up too, but I taught them all I could, and gave them freedom as I thought they could handle it. I admit I used to spy on them to make sure they would do alright. Now they are grown, I think they all do better than my husband, actually, who is still a little naive. I have to kind of watch out for him when we visit any city, because he will talk to any con artist, and give them money because he feels sorry for them.

I do think the subway lady is on the extreme end of the scale with this independence thing. The poor kid was alone and personally I think his little emotions can't handle as the mother might think he does. Maybe she doesn't believe what she is saying she is just making excuses for herself and trying to find a way for us all to buy into it. On the other hand I do think our children are cuddled to much and that could be a reason why they are living at home until they are 30. Maybe they don't all have the same story but the ones I know are out there going to bars, traveling, hanging out doing nothing. Some give their parents a token room and board while others give none. When my kids were in their teens I thought about this and thought no way. If they want to stay home and not get their own apartments that is fine by me but the money can not be wasted. Some for room and board, Alot into savings of some sort to buy house or something but no free for alls around here. If they didn't want to do that then out they went. I thought make no wonder our adult children are like kids they don't have to grow up. I realize this is not the norm for many but still I knew a lot of them. One family struggled to make ends meet while their 22 year old son had a fantastic job lived at home went drinking almost every night or out with friends and paid nothing. I remember one time the sons car broke down so the mother gave the son her car to go to work and she walked a couple of blocks to a bus stop to take the train and a bus to get to work plus walking another block for about 3 months. What gives with that. The son couldn't even be bothered to drive his mom to the bus stop. The Dad was gone much to early! Craziness I say!

I definately think that kids these days are coddled. Mind you I wouldn't let my son, at 7 (he is 3 1/2 now), take the subway alone. I have been on the subway and it scares the crap out of me sometimes. There are way too many crazies out there these days. I believe in giving your children freedom, to an extent, not to the extent where you risk endangering their lives. Children need the space to make their own decisions and have their own independance, but there are always limits that are required.

I do think that a lot of parents coddle their children. I would not let my 8 year old ride the subway by himself, but I also would not stop him from playing outside alone. I guess I am kind of middle of the road on the whole child thing.

When I was 7 I walked to the movie theater (45 minutes), the riding stable (1/2 hour) and all over the place. My mom was not worried at all as long as I was home by dinner time. But I wouldn't let my 2 7 year olds do that. The 11 year old, to the park or something, maybe, but that's about it. It's not the same world that it used to be....