When I first allowed my eldest daughter to go into town on her own, during the day to meet her friend, she was a very sensible 13-year-old. And this was Edinburgh, a much more manageable city than, say, London or Manchester. But still, and I’ve never told her this out of shame, I followed her. At a distance and out of sight until she’d arrived at her first stop, Starbucks, a mere 15 minutes’ walk from our house. Then I stayed up town just in case I was needed. I see now that this overbearing parenting is counter-productive, and independent-minded children will break free when they, not their mothers, are ready.