Would it bug you???

[TruBlu]

Are you honestly saying that a 4 year old has the judgement to be out playing unsupervised? I'm sure glad that none of my neighbors share your feelings.

Honestly our neighborhood is very, very close. It's like a constant block party. The kids play, the moms talk, the dads throw frisbees, footballs, whatever, everyone throws balls to the dog's. The kids are being kids, we aren't scripting or directing their play. I have to disagree that they play differently when parents aren't around. When my kids are playing in the back yard, unsupervised, they do the exact same things they do when we are out there chatting.

I am out there to watch for teenagers driving too fast on my side stree, to make sure they have their helmets on, to make sure they don't wander too far away. I'm out there to watch for suspicious cars. While you may think that is absurd, we have had several reports of 2 different people trying to abduct children in the area. It may be a slim chance, but it's not one I'm going to take.

I agree 100% - and I wish I lived in your nieghborhood!

 

[dfarner]

I have to ask In case of what? What do you really think is going to happen?


And just by being there you are interfering with their play, kids play differently when adults are present.

What do you mean "in case of what"? Ask Jessica Lunsford's daddy "in case of what". She was abducted from her gparents' home and found dead 150yds from her house. By a stranger. It's always a possibility.

 

[allison443]

What do you mean "in case of what"? Ask Jessica Lunsford's daddy "in case of what". She was abducted from her gparents' home and found dead 150yds from her house. By a stranger. It's always a possibility.

Remember Carlie Brucia, the 11 year old girl in Florida who was walking home alone from a friend's sleepover. Just a few blocks from her home. Her abduction was captured on a surveillance tape. She was murdered.

I understand stranger abductions are very rare. So are many other things that I try to protect my kids from. There is no way I would let a 7 or 8 year old roam the neighborhood unsupervised. In the backyard unsupervised, no problem.

I also would not allow my kids to play in someone's yard if that neighbor wasn't home. Similarly, I do not expect other kids in my yard when I'm not home.