hmmm perhaps we were older than 8 when we had free reign, but we definitely walked or rode to school by ourselves and home again, most definitely... it IS very hard to remember at what age we did what though.

my sister in law's son (7) was at our house recently with his dad and was bored and was nagging to go home, his dad said well you can't go home unless you call mum up and ask her to come and get you. we live in a country town and their house is just around the corner, would have to cross only two quiet streets lined with houses. it was later that it got me thinking how ridiculous it seemed (to me anyway). thing is he is a very 'young' 7, but probably due to the fact that he hasn't actually been allowed to do much - does that make sense... maybe he wouldn't be okay crossing the road, because perhaps he's never had to do it before.