[Jagat]

Also, mothers didn't have to keep an eye on the kids all the time past infancy. It was fairly common to leave them on their own with other kids to play, only ensuring they're fed on time.

And once they reached a sufficient age (10 or 12), children usually helped the family with their craft.

Before the industrial revolution, what's considered norm today was the norm only for aristocrats.

[nimajneb]

I'm 37 and the oldest of 4 kids and your first paragraph is for the most part how I grew up. I don't remember my mom following any of us around past a certain age, like 5 or so. She cleaned the house etc. while we played inside or in the backyard. I remember going up the block to the park with my friends without any adults at the age of 10-12 or maybe a little younger.

[astura]

>It was fairly common to leave them on their own with other kids to play, only ensuring they're fed on time.

This was the norm 25 years ago, it's how I grew up.