How old should they be before you let roam?

[redrosesix]

My daughter has just turned 9 and we will be staying at ASMu next month. Since we have a trailer at a campground (which is about the size of all of the All Stars put together) and she is used to going everywhere by herself there.

She has already been asking if she can go to the store, food court, arcade alone. I haven't given her an answer yet. I already said no to the pool since I'm not sure what the rules are -- at the campground, kids who can swim are allowed there alone as there is always at least a lifeguard on duty.

Until now, she has never been out of my sight at the resort. Although I'm thinking it might be time to loosen the leash a little ie. let her go ahead of me when we're walking to the food court, let her go to another area of the main building for a few minutes while I am nearby, let her swim in the pool while I am reading a book (provided that is allowed at WDW) -- this is what I mean by "roaming". I would not even consider letting her loose at a park or water park (I trust her, but not everybody else who is there), but all of these would be allowed at home or a small hotel/campground/park.

I know I'm going to hear about it if she sees other kids her age going to the arcade by themselves. But as part of our ongoing conversation about rules, etc., I'm thinking about what age I will tell her she is allowed to do these things. And she will always have a cell phone while she's there, even when she's right beside me - that has already been decided.

Any thoughts?

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

Me personally, I think 9 is a bit young to be roaming by themselves even with a cell phone. But only you know your daughter and your comfortability with the situation. If it were me I would have to say no. I am sure you are going to hear both sides of the issue. Sorry.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

My thoughts?

Not in a million years would we let our 9yo daughter go to the arcade and food court by herself. I'm sure you'll hear all sorts of opinions, but mine is that 9yo is way to young for that much freedom. Our DD is turning 9yo in three weeks and we won't feel comfortable with her venturing out by herself for a few more years.

Have a fun trip!

 

[liznboys]

Yeah, sorry, my opinion is also that 9 is too young. Good luck!

 

[Luvamouse]

And I'll sound like a complete worrywart because I was hesitant letting my 13 YO go to Captain Cook's from Tahiti. I figured she is on the paths there and is going point to point. But general roaming around, I didn't even allow that at 13. JMPO. Depends on the child and the destination.

 

[RMulieri]

I think 9 is too young.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

My kids didn't even go to the resort pool (lifeguards on duty) with each other until they were around 12-14! (there had to be at least two of them, and I checked periodically to see that they were where they were supposed to be) I'm a bit overprotective, I know, but I'd never have let my kids wander around at home, much less in another city/state, at 9 - cell phone or no.

 

[LadyCluckwon]

My daughter has just turned 9 and we will be staying at ASMu next month. Since we have a trailer at a campground (which is about the size of all of the All Stars put together) she is used to roaming free there.
I know I'm going to hear about it if she sees other kids her age going to the arcade by themselves. And she will have a cell phone while she's there.

Any thoughts?

NO, no, no, I would not be comfortable with any child under the age of 17 "roaming" by herself--even around Disney. If she is going to let you "hear about it" when you are following basic common sense, perhaps she's acting even younger than her age (around 5 or 6). I would have been comfortable with my nephews walking around together (15 & 13 --they are large guys--6'3 and 5'11...) even so, I wouldn't have allowed one of them to "roam" by himself. While you may feel you can trust her, can you trust ALL of the people who may be in the very populated resort...Cell phones should not replace people.

 

[hematite153]

My experience is that these threads generally get more people telling you 'no' than 'yes'.

When I was 9 I took my younger sisters to/from swimming on the bus and didn't have any trouble. But, my best friend didn't go anywhere alone until she was 18 (her parents trusted me to take her places when she was 16 and I was 15 though).

I think that a lot depends on the kid. Is she resourceful enough to manage a problem on her own? Or, would she be dependent upon calling you on the cell phone for help?

I also believe that a lot of people give their kids more roaming freedom than they realize. I keep reading about people who don't let their kids go anywhere without supervision, but, then I see young kids (younger than 9) playing in the pool without an adult. Yes, there's an adult with them in the pool area, but, rarely actively supervising. I frequently see the kids go up to adults who are reading or napping and needing to get their attention to say that they are ready to go. So, I tend to think that the issue is more about frequently checking in than active supervision. Can you go to the main pool with her, but, let her go in to refill a mug by herself knowing that you'll be expecting her back within 10 minutes?

Personally, I'd consider short-term roaming (playing with other kids in the pool, going to the bathroom, standing in a different line for food, refilling a mug, etc.) acceptable if she's a responsible 9 yr old with problem solving skills who could deal appropriately with a problem without needing to call you for help (i.e. could ask the CM nearby for help, but, isn't reliant on a battery or cell service). But, I probably wouldn't allow more in such a busy place.

 

[cinderkeli]

I agree with the others no way would I allow my child to go by themselves. Did you read over at the theme park site about this lady let her daughter go with another adult on a ride and some weird guy kept playing with her hair so she called her mom on the cell phone and mom came running to her with CMs to get this guy out of the parks. Remember just because its Disney doesn't mean weirdos are not there. Not only that but our cell phone had a mind of there own. Sometimes we would get reception and most time not. I would not take the chance.

 

[Mississippianna]

You know your daughter better than us. If she's mature enough, knows the dos and don'ts of talking to strangers, and is used to that kind of freedom, well I think I would let her if it were my daughter.

 

[Poodie]

I have to agree with most of the other posters, that nine is too young to let them wander about alone.

My older two were 11 and 13 on our last trip to WDW, and the 13 yr old has a cell phone. They were allowed to venture off alone a few times (for rides, drinks, bathroom, etc....). But, they are older, and had each other! There is something to the saying "there is safety in numbers"... I know I feel better with them together!

We always have a meeting place/time planned, and there are the cell phones for contact if needed. We do the same thing at home when at the mall or something..... I am trying to give them a bit of freedom, while still keeping them close!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

While I agree 9 is old enough to navagate their way, there are too many dangers for 9 year olds. Bank robbers go where the money is and child preditors go where the children are ie. WDW. Don't do it and have peace of mind. You could let your daughter be in charge of the daily activities and go with her flow. That may be all she really wants anyway.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

No way would I let my child do this, with or without a cell phone. Anything could happen and I am not one to risk the chance.

 

[gogo]

I agree about not letting a child of 9 roam alone. There are too many strange people. My son was 12 when I felt comfortable with him going alone to the arcade. If there was an older child with her, I'd feel a little better.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

At first when I posted I thought that maybe I was just being an overprotective mom but after reading more posts I don't feel that way anymore. I have been trying to give my DS13 some room to grow and he refuses to go places by himself. But when we were at the GF in April of 2008 he did venture to the arcade by himself but only for 10 minutes. He said it felt weird being by himself. Sometimes (only sometimes) I wished that he had a sibling but then again he doesn't. OP whatever your decision is I hope that you and your family have a wonderful time.

 

[Nie0214]

I wouldn't consider until at least 12 personally.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nope, I wouldn't. My dd, now 15, has been going to WDW since she turned 5. She went when she was 8 and then again when she turned 10. I have to say that even with her being so familier with WDW, I would't have allowed her to roam by herself.
When she turned 13, we traveled to WDW with another mom and her dd who also was turning 13. We had met in childbirth class and remain good friends. We had told the girls that they would be allowed to go off on their own on this trip. We traveled together when the girls were 8 as well. Well, the girls finally took off on their own in MK, but only for about 2 hrs. Seems they missed their moms!!
I doubt that many would allow a 9 y/o off on her own in the resort. Maybe if there were another child with her, or better yet a teenager. But alone? Nope, too young.

 

[dls881]

Same here - 9 is too young.

 

[PolyAddict]

Let's see DD17 and DD15 were about 12 and 14 (with a cell phone)when we let them go to the arcade walk around the resort and go on different rides from us in the same park. I did not send them off to a park by themselves at that age. I did in 2008 when they were 15 and almost 17. I let DD15 walk from the Swan to Epcot by herself after she slept in from being sunburned the day before. We stayed on her cell phone with her the whole time and met her at the international gateway. It's so nice now that they can do some things on their own because DD8 can wear on your nerves rather quickly.

Sorry-just read the headline only-now that i have read the whole thing in my opinion 9 is too young to be on their own.