At what age questions

[mom25kiddos]

Hi there,
I do my best not to be an overprotective parents, I believe children need to have the opportunity to build trust and develop life skills on their own. I want my children to know how to respond in a situation when I am not there and be able to make good choices, I feel like they can't do that if they are never given the gift of independence. Our older kids are 10 and 12 and we will be visiting WDW with their cousin who will be 12.5 at the time. So, how much independence is reasonable? Can they go on a ride by themselves, can we meet them in an hour, two, more? Can they take the monorail to the hotel on their own? What do you think? While I trust the kids (and they have a phone), I also want to know what is generally accepted by others so we don't break some sort of unwritten rule. I actually don't know what my answer is yet on what they should and shouldn't be allowed to do on their own, so curious what others think!

 

[shoney]

At 10 and 12 we allowed our boys time off by themselves within the same park we were visiting.
By 12 and 14, (we at Universal) they had free run to go back and forth from the hotel to the parks.

Every child is different. Just see what everyone is comfortable with when you get there.

 

[Turn the Page]

My DD is 9 1/2 and we will allow her to head off to different rides within the same land we are in by herself. I would have no problem with kids of that age being sent off for an hour or two on their own in the same park.

This is, of course, dependent upon the individual kids. If you have a child who you know consistently makes bad decisions and waits to be away from you to act up then the answer would be no. If they are generally good kids then sure. Give it a shot and see how it goes.

 

[SmallWorld71]

FYI - They will not be able to enter a park by themselves. (Those under 14 need to be accompanied by someone 14 or older) Not sure if there is an age requirement for riding the transportation to and from the parks.

7 is the age to ride without an adult so they will be fine with that.

They can also use their magic bands to get their own food if you have the dining plan or have set up charging to your room. Just make sure they know the pin #.