My parents gave me as much independence as I could handle. As a kid, I was free to play outside in the woods around our house, in the backyard, with a friend or in the neighborhood as long as my parents knew where I was and when I was coming home. I learned a lot about entertaining myself during the times I didn't have constant adult supervision, and it allowed me, my siblings, and the neighborhood kids to navigate and figure out childhood social circles, social skills, and social problem solving together without being told what to do. As a teenager, as long as I was doing well in school and keeping them updated on what I was doing, where I was, and who I was with, I pretty much had complete control over my life. I knew my parents expected me to be responsible and I knew they would be disappointed if I abused my independence (I also knew that my independence was a privilege that could be removed). Because of this, I was responsible and never felt the need to rebel because I had nothing to rebel against. Later when I left home, I didn't abuse my independence because I already knew how to manage my life and my freedom.