playing outside without an adult right there

Elizabeth - posted on 07/11/2011

Hmm. My girls are five and six and I do not allow them outside without an adult. We know all the neighbors, have a large backyard, and I can see them IF they stay in the backyard. However, my instincts say no. I dont think thats being a helicopter mom, if you have doubts about the safety of your children play it safe .

Jennifer - posted on 07/05/2011

I wouldn't let my kids play in an area where an adult can approach them without being seen. Maybe arrange a shift to watch with the other parents? Or have them play inside if you can't watch them. In this day I would not think it's safe to leave them unattended, too many predators looking for an opportunity. My son was allowed to ride his bike alone in the neighborhood when he was 10 and I felt better able to understand threatening behavior and react appropriately.

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 07/05/2011

If you can see them, what's the big deal? They need space, room to grow, and the freedom to be themselves without you always around.

√v^√v^√♥ - posted on 07/05/2011

If you can see them, what's the big deal? They need space, room to grow, and the freedom to be themselves without you always around.

Sally - posted on 07/04/2011

When my girls were 6 and 1 we had a big backyard that was fenced on three sides and we knew all the neighbors. I let them both out without me all the time.
A year later, we have no yard, but a playground across the street. My big girl can go over by herself, but my toddler doesn't understand safety rules yet so she only goes with a grownup.

Bevely - posted on 06/30/2011

My kids are 8 and 9 and I let them play outside all the time. They have to stay in the yard though.

Teresa - posted on 06/29/2011

If you trust them to stay in that area.... I'd be fine w/ it. My 9 year olds are allowed to play out on the grass anywhere that I can see them from any of my windows. They even take their 3 year old brother out w/ them sometimes. I'D be ok w/ letting them play out behind the next apartment building over (still all on grass, don't have to set foot in the parking lot anywhere), but management rules here say the kids must be supervised.... so I don't risk it.

Good Day! - posted on 06/28/2011

My three year old plays outside by herself. Our carport is right off the kitchen...so I keep the door open and she plays under the carport. She also plays in the fenced in backyard by herself. If you can easily see and hear them, I think it should be fine. But only YOU know your girls and the environment in which you live. Every situation is different.

Becky - posted on 06/28/2011

My 7 and 8 year old are outside unsurpervised all the time. They do have to stay in the backyard. We do let them ride their bikes on the sidewalk and ride around the block, but they have to ask. They can even walk to a close friends house. Heck, we even let our 5 year old out by herself. To be honest, I'd rather have my kids outside for 4-5 hours with their friends than in the house.

Jodi - posted on 06/27/2011

At 7 or 8? And you can see them if you poke your head out, and hear them? Personally I think it sounds like you are being a little over-protective. But then, it depends on your neighbourhood. My kids have been playing outside without my 100% supervision since they were 3, including playing with the neighbours kids, but we have a backyard, and live in a relatively safe neighbourhood. But at 7 or 8 I personally think it is time to give your kids a little bit more rope. But then, my son was walking a mile home from school when he was 8, so.......

Danielle - posted on 06/27/2011

Personally, I would be okay with it if they were staying in the area you told them to stay and I could see them from a window and/or hear them on a regular basis but that is just my personal opinion on it. I have a fenced in yard (six foot wooden fence) and windows pretty much all the way around my house and in the summertime I will let my daughter play on the back patio while I'm cooking dinner since I can watch her while I'm cooking and have the windows open too so I can constantly hear her, although I do have a fenced in yard so I feel much safer than if I did not have that privacy and protection that a fence can provide. I think its something you may have to let them try out and see if they are responsible enough to come check in with you frequently, etc. Give them each a watch and set a timer on them. If they are not back in when that timer goes off or within 1-2 minutes to check in then tell them they are clearly not responsible enough to be outside with their friends and no parent watching. This is an idea my sister used with my nephew growing up and it seemed to work really well for their family. He also was required to come home and check in if he was going anywhere other than where he said he would be, no calling, he must physically come home and check in, same with when his timer goes off.