A mum says she’s torn between giving her young daughter more freedom and protecting her, after the 11-year-old revealed she wants to meet a boy at the local park.

She’s looking for advice from other parents who have been in the same situation.

“My daughter is 11 in Year 7 and it’s time to give her some more freedom. She’s had sleep overs at friends’ and gone to friends’ houses etc,” she explained.

“She has a phone and has been walking to and from her new secondary school with her friends so far so has been getting used to that, but not really across the park, just sticking to the streets.”

“Recently she has been asking to meet with some friends after school on a Friday at the park and we have a few concerns but also don’t want to be strict over-bearing parents and realise we need to allow her some time out of the house to just hang around with her friends.”

The mum says told her daughter that she’s concerned about the type of older kids and teens that are usually hanging out at the park, particularly on a Friday night.

“She then asked to meet some friends in the day between 2pm-4pm – we said o.k this sounds fine … who are you meeting? Bit of a sketchy answer, umm I think so and so is going, maybe … then I asked if they could call for her so we know who it is – nope this isn’t the plan.

“Then it turns out she wants to meet a boy in her year group and it is just going to be those two. I feel uncomfortable about this as A) never met him, not sure where he lives or anything – this is a new friend she’s met at school…B) She’s not yet even tried hanging out with a few of her girl mates on the park yet.

“I’ve said no to this this time until we know who he is and she said they both understand and perhaps mums can swap numbers and arrange something. I don’t want to make her feel embarrassed if this is a new boyfriend by monitoring everything and introducing parents and all that. But equally need to know where she is who she is with and safeguard her.

“How does everyone else deal with it. What are your thoughts please?”

Leave your advice in the comments below!