how old does your child need to be to..

[Planogirl]

It's so sad. I remember how I used to go out and play on my own and my mother wouldn't bat an eye. I miss the innocence we all had at one time.

As for DS, I would let him go to the playground now that he's 12 but he won't because he thinks he's too old. So he never went without me.

 

[HappyMommy2]

I agree with many who said it depends on the situation.
I think that if the child has a sibling or very good friend who will walk with them and stay with them the whole time, that might make me agreeable to letting them go at a younger age--I heard a police officer talk about this once and he said there definitely is safety in numbers when it comes to avoiding kidnappings.

Right now I can't imagine a day when my kids (currently preschoolers) will be allowed to go anywhere without adult supervision! But I know we will have to start somewhere eventually.

 

[Pin Wizard]

My DD12 just started walking to school without me this past January. The school is about 1-2 blocks away. She walks with 2 other girls who all meet at my house. We have a church playground 1/2 block away and I let her go there by herself (well with friends) when she was 10 1/2. She never walks anywhere by herself.

How times have changed, unfortunately. And it's going on years. I was in kindergarten when I walked to school alone...more than 2 miles away. DS is 12, and I'm just starting to let him around the neighborhood with a kid close in age...on bikes. No monkey business allowed. I get one comment that he's doing something he shouldn't, and it's over for him.

I still wouldn't let him go to a park alone. There's one down the main drag of our community. There's no way he's walking/riding there with even a friend.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I can't see us letting either of our DDs walk anywhere (or bike) by themselves at any age and I can't see ever letting them play in a playground without adult supervision either, no matter how close by it is.

I've heard SO many stories of abductions in playgrounds or when a kid walks home from a friend's house (or where ever) which was only a couple of blocks away.

I won't risk it.

I also wouldn't leave my DDs alone at a pool party. I also won't let them play in the front yard by themselves either (thanks to an Oprah episode).

I would (and do) just tell my DDs how we do things, and why, and tell them that every family has their own set rules.

I feel EXACTLY the same way. I watch too many shows that tell the horrors of what can happen in a few short seconds. It's NOT worth the risk!

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I guess it depends on where you live. My street is long and straight, which means that everyone who drives on it thinks it's a racetrack. I'd be afraid of my dd getting hit. My neighborhood, however, isn't bad. I'd probably let her walk down the street by herself (as long as she didn't have to cross the racetrack) when she's around 12. The neighborhood I grew up in is a totally different story. It's a REALLY bad place to live with murders and gangs and drug-dealers. It wasn't that bad when I was growing up (my brother and I used to walk home from school when we were about 9 and 12, respectively), but it's much worse now. I'd be afraid to walk around there myself. So, as I said, with me it would totally depend on where I lived.

 

[Disney Ella]

Mine are nine and there's no way I'd let them go to a playground alone. When I was in first grade, I walked about a 1/2 mile by myself to a bus stop where I stood alone, out of my mother's sight, and waited for the bus. I can't imagine even letting my kids do that at 9.

 

[Rowena]

We let our responsible DS 10, almost 11, cut through a parking lot to go to the park. However, he's only allowed to go with someone else (safer in pairs or more) and at least one person has a walkie talkie to home or a cellphone on them.

 

[Snowysmom]

I would not let a child go to the playground alone even when they are older. Once they are around 12, I would let them go with a friend, but never alone. I believe in the buddy system. My son is 15 and he is not allowed to go to the store about half a mile away or the Mall unless he is with a friend. Too much can happen even to a teenager by themselves and no one would ever know what happened to them.

 

[tiggerlover]

My son just turned 9 and I would not let him go to the park without an adult. In todays world it just isn't safe, in my opinion, for children to be out and about alone (or with other kids). I would rather be safe than sorry.

 

[luvthatduke]

I am SO glad DH & I are not alone!!!
We finally got my DM to understand our feelings
when our DS turned 2 & she started watching
programs, etc. that made her look at him & his world.
It is sad, but it is an entirely different world that we live in now.
And beattyfamily - you quoted DH & I nearly word for word.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Also check the sex offenders list to see if any nearby that would be cause for concern.

Good advice but dont let that lull you into a false sense of security. That list is only of sex offenders that have been CONVICTED of a sex crime. I am sure there are thousands that never get caught or arrested. Sad to have to worry about things like that.

I have to agree with the 16 and driving comment. It's a dangerous world.

 

[Sandy22]

I live in a safe area and the park is only up the street so I would feel comfortable around the age of 7 but only with a friend...never alone.

I know some people are suggesting the age of 12 which I don't get. 12 year olds are not into playing at the park! When I was 12, if I was at a park, it was because I was hiding with my friends and smoking.