I’ve made a conscious decision not to be a helicopter parent. My oldest child was walking alone to the library by the time he was in 1st grade.

You have to do things in stages. One of the biggest misconceptions about free-range parenting — the method we happily follow — is that you throw your kids to the wind.

For us, it was a gradual process of baby steps. In the beginning, I accompanied him to the library. Then, I’d stay behind and chat with his teacher before catching up with him.

After he’d built up enough confidence, he went there alone and stayed to do his homework before walking to meet us at the shops where we worked.

Evie followed suit in terms of independence. The only thing that held her back — which, I believe, is more common in the case of girls — is not having many friends with like-minded parents. She wanted to engage in activities and adventures with other children, but if their parents won’t let them, it isn’t as fun on your own.

My kids know to ask people for help if needed

But she and Jack found their tribe. When Jack was 13, he did an all-day bike ride with a friend to a peak overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. It was about a 60-mile round trip. Last month, Evie and her friend took their bikes on a ferry and cycled 45 miles around the bay.

I know they’ll ask for help if they need it. They’ve been raised to be confident in talking with strangers.

Parenting is about being your child’s first teacher. You teach them how to navigate the world, but then you have to step back and let them do it for themselves.

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