A couple who allow their eldest two children to go out at night alone have defended their "lighthouse" approach to parenting, a philosophy that has left other parents feeling "physically ill".
Parents Sammy and Jason say they're trying to help their kids become more independent, and so will allow Pepper, 10, and Jude, six, more freedom than most, including permission to swim at the beach without parental supervision.
The couple also have two younger children to care for - Rory, three, and Lottie, two, - and don't feel as though they're able to give their full attention to all four kids at the same time.
During a recent appearance on the Australian TV show Parental Guidance, Sammy and Jason opened up about their decision to allow their children to learn to fend for themselves.
Sammy explained: "It's not possible for us to be there all the time so it's important we teach them to fend for themselves. We can't focus our attention on each individual kid, which means we have to let the other kids have their own freedom and their own space.
"So we're happy for the two older ones to go swimming by themselves. It's an opportunity for them to showcase how independent they can be, and give them some trust as well."
In one part of the show, Sammy could be seen asking Pepper and Jude to go out after dark to collect a takeaway from the chippy down the road.
According to an article by parenting expert Dr Ken Ginsburg, lighthouse parenting refers to a parenting style that allows children to figure out life lessons, "within safe and moral boundaries".
Dr Ginsberg explained: "I like to think of myself as a 'Lighthouse Parent'. A stable force on the shoreline my child can measure themselves against.
"I see it as my job to look down at the rocks and make sure they do not crash against them. I look into the waves and trust they will eventually learn to ride them on their own. But I will prepare them to do so."
Other parents featured on the show weren't all that keen on this approach, with fellow mum Leanne shuddering: "I feel ill. Kids at the beach by themselves at that age makes me feel physically ill.
"That water can change in an instant and from where you are and where the kids are, they're gone."
Agreeing that this was "something most people aren't comfortable with", Sammy clarified: "The thing with our parenting style is the children to be aware of their own limitations."
When the parents were asked whether they viewed the beach lifeguards to be 'babysitters', Jason stated, "We are watching them constantly".
Sammy added: "Anything our children do we assess the risks".
According to the British government website, although the law does not stipulate an age when a child can be left on their own, "it's an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk".
Parents are therefore urged to use their judgement to assess how mature their children are before leaving them alone, whether that be at home or in a car.
As per guidance provided by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), children under the age of 12 will rarely be mature enough to be left alone for a lengthy time period.
Those under the age of 16 should not be left overnight to look after themselves, while babies, toddlers, and other very young children should never be left unaccompanied under any circumstances.
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