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How old before you let them play out alone?

NewUser98082019NewUser98082019
in Schoolchildren
My son is 6 and 1/2 and i let him out to play in our street which is pretty quiet as long as he has another friend with him.
He plays round the back of our house near some garages and a lot of his friends are 8 or 9 but i always make him tell me where's he's going (if they are going into someone's house) if he doesn't, he's grounded.

Is 6 too young to play out or am i being over protective?

Any advice appreciated
Clair
xx.

Replies

  • KThom122KThom122
    Personally I don't allow my 6 1/2 yo boy to play outside of our garden. We do live close to a busy road so that does have a part to play. My parents live in an estate where a lot of kids play out and they used to allow my two children out to play too- but I have stopped that now.

    I think that when kids are out playing and there are older kids around they are hearing things and seeing things that perhaps they shouldn't. 8 and 9 yo kids know a lot more nowadays and I don't want my 6 yo to know more than he needs to.

    In answer to your question yes this is being overprotective but unfortunately this is the society we live in today and I don't feel I have any other option. My son socialises at school and he goes to Sunday school and music lessons so to spend the rest of his time in his own garden isn't that bad.
  • Kezzie79Kezzie79
    Hiya loopylass, i have 2 daughters (ages 8 and 12). I have been letting my eldest play out the front since she was about 8 and we live in a cul-de-sac. I still worry thou, due to people in their cars that drive around here. They do not slow down!
    My 8 yr old daughter has been going out the front since she was about 7 as my eldest daughter was out there too, but now i'm having the trouble that my eldest nows goes to the local park with her friends and my 8 yr old wants to go. I don't really won't her too and i've found out that other children her age are over the park. I really do not know what to do for the best really.
    It is such a tough decision to make, i think i am too over protective but i think you have to be these days!!!
  • KerrygKerryg
    Oh this is so hard!!!
    My eldest is 12 ans now he comes and goes!!! But he always has to tell me where he is going and he has his mobile.
    Emily is 9 and I let her play out front - but she isn't allowed to cross the road.
    We are over protective and you have to go where you feel comfortable. There isn't a right and wrong. x
  • NewUser98082019NewUser98082019
    Now i'm really confused!! I always thought i was quite strict with daniel, i know some people who let 3 year olds play in the street, but now i feel like i'm being a bit irresponsible. Maybe i should get him electronically tagged so i know where the little blighter is! image
  • mumto225mumto225
    what your doing sounds fine to me and he knows the consequences of going somewhere you don't know about! maybe playing with 9yr olds could cause a few problems but i don't know, they could be really nice kids! i think you have to give them a little bit of freedom esp. with the summer holidays coming up, just try keeping him in then! LOL

    i do let my 4yr old play in the street sometimes coz we have a big field next to the house, its quiet and he plays in his friends gardens on their trampoline etc, his friends are older, 6, but i'm more strict with my ds obviously

    you know what's best hun xx.
  • hels_davenporthels_davenport
    My daughter is nearly 7 and I've only recently let her play out the front on her own, we live in a cul-de-sac and she's only allowed to ride her bike on the pavement and not cross the road - my parents also live in the same road and always watch out for her (as do a lot of the neighbours as most have lived here a long time) I also tell her to stop where she is safely when a car comes down the road and everytime she goes out though I remind her of all the rules as I worry so much!!!

    Its really hard finding a balance between allowing them some freedom and keeping them safe, I don't think 6 is too young to play out though as long as there are set rules xxx
  • clairemcclairemc
    my 2 girls are 9 and 6 and ive only just started letting them play out the front but if the oldest comes in then my youngest 1 comes in as well i think i might be a bit over protective but it think its better to be safe than sorry but thats just me i always need to know where they are even though i live in a cul de sac
  • babymonkey75babymonkey75
    My children are nearly 10 and 8. I dont let them play out in the front garden alone but I allow them to play in the back garden which is very secure.
    I have always had it drummed into me that its to late if anything happens which I guess is right.
    xxx
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