I can remember the first time I left my son home alone. It was a difficult decision as he was only 8 at the time. A bird had flown into our window when we lived in Dubai and was not doing well. We put it in a box with a blanket and some water and he sat with it until I got back from the shops with some bird seed. I worried the whole time I was gone (about 30 mins) but I needn’t have done. I think it’s more about the child in question than their age.
After being an academic high achiever, I expected the same from my son. He’s not academic but has huge interests in history, geography and religion (comparative). After a few years of high school I realised he’s not going to set the world alight with his grades. He is, however, going to set it alight with his creativity, which is all he’s ever wanted to do. As my Mum (a teacher) who is hugely against exams says, you don’t fatten a pig by weighing it. Can’t wait until he finishes year 12 and can spread his wings in the way he feels is right for him. ‘Nobody needs to know about ribosomes on the endoplasmic reticulum’ is my favourite from him. 😂