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AIBU?

How young is too young to be playing out?

30 replies

raspberrysuicide · 20/07/2017 20:11

There are loads of children living in my road. They all seem to play out all the time, even quite late.
My dd is 6 and will be going into year 2 in September and is desperate to play outside with her friends. We live in a flat so no garden.
Even children from reception class are out there but I think she's still far too young.

Aibu to make her stay in ?

OP posts:
gabsdot · 20/07/2017 20:14

It totally depends on the child and where you live. I live at the end of a culdesac. very safe, no cars, my son has played out on the road since he was about 5. He's very sensible and didn't wander. My DD was older as she doesn't have as much sense as him.

JuicyStrawberry · 20/07/2017 20:14

My eldest is 6 and I still don't let him play out. To be fair he isn't interested which I am glad about.

Zoflorabore · 20/07/2017 20:16

My dd is also 6 and in year 2 and she isn't allowed to go out and play but we do have a huge garden so that's different to your scenario.
Also, we live at the top of a busy close, lots of cars pass by our house to get to the bottom of the close and I worry!

For the record, no children play out here at all, there are 18 houses in the close and o think 14 dc under secondary school age.

In your situation I don't know, how safe is it? My dd is sensible it's others I worry about.

MsHopey · 20/07/2017 20:16

There's about 4 or 5 children who play out on my street. It a a quiet cul-de-sac but the ages range from about 5 to about 8. Other than maybe the odd glance out a window (I'm hoping) the parents don't supervise at all, I constantly hear mega crying all the time, they're clumsy and hit each other and fall over. I sound super nosy but they ride their bikes and little cars down this hill at the parked cars and I'm always cringing. I'm pregnant at the moment and have no clue how old a child has to be to play outside, but to me they seem very young to be unsupervised and alone. Keeping in mind I can hear them playing/crying right now as I type this.

ElizabethShaw · 20/07/2017 20:16

My Year 2 child does, he has a watch and checks back when told.

Zoflorabore · 20/07/2017 20:17

Sorry meant to say going into year 2, wishing my life away until September and don't even break up until tomorrow Grin

Love51 · 20/07/2017 20:21

Massively depends on the area, and how much supervision you give. Give tight boundaries initially and extend as they get older / prove they can be trusted. I'd say they have to be at least 7, but I don't live on a cul de sac.
I would let her play out with me watching, which is a compromise which pleases no one.

Justhadmyhaircut · 20/07/2017 20:22

We have a park around the corner. Small road with zebra crossing. . Dd 10+11 allowed out til 7 but ds 8 def not. .

AfunaMbatata · 20/07/2017 20:23

Did started playing outside with kids in our very small cul-de-sac at around 4 and a half years old. I leave the door open and pop in and out every 5/10 mins.

JennyBlueWren · 20/07/2017 20:23

Unless she's immature (Would she know what to do if someone was hurt or someone approached them?) or the other children are particularly rough or there is some local danger then I would suggest you give it a go over the summer.
Set boundaries (time, space and behaviour) and see how she manages it with the consequence that if she breaks them she won't be able to go out.
Playing out like this helps develop trust and responsibility but only you know your DD and the area to decide when the time is right.

GirlsWhoWearGlasses · 20/07/2017 20:24

My DD (5) has been playing out for a year. She's not allowed to cross the street but goes up and down as far as the two corners. Lots of kids play out here. We live in a big city, but it's not a busy street.

sirfredfredgeorge · 20/07/2017 20:25

Given that your area is judged to be safe by quite a number of your neighbours and that numbers tends to breed safety - both 'cos the road users are less shocked and they look out for each other. I'd say that says more that in your case it is appropriate for many to be out.

Certainly school aged children of all ages can often be let out, but it does depend on the area and the children.

formerbabe · 20/07/2017 20:27

I have a 6 year old. I would never allow her to play outside without me supervising.

pinkhorse · 20/07/2017 20:28

I have a 7 year old and live down a close. I wouldn't let him play out unsupervised

babybubblescomingsoon · 20/07/2017 20:28

mshopey are you from Plymouth? Sounds like my old street Grin

MonsterQueen · 20/07/2017 20:29

My youngest plays out age 4 but only with his siblings or neighbour (also 4). We live in a rural area and all the neighbours know him and look out for him like their own. My eldest is 11 and was never allowed to play out where we lived previously. Agree it depends on child, and location.

He will be allowed out on his own at around 6 as we live by the sea.

gingeristhenewblack43 · 20/07/2017 20:32

My DD is 5 and going into Yr1 in Sept. she's allowed to play in my garden with the girl (7) from 2 doors away, or in their garden.

I live on a residential street but it's the only one with no speed bumps so can get busy or be used by 'boy racers'. She knows not to go on the road but their constant to-ing and fro-ing sets me on edge so I've had to call a halt to their playing sometimes.

I think it's one of those questions where you know your own child and know your own locality.

LowGravity · 20/07/2017 20:42

There's no 'right' age, it depends on the child and the area really. Mine started playing out at 7 but only because he had consistently shown good road sense over a long period of time. And I could trust to him to stick to the rules I lay down (check back at X time/cross road at safest spot and no straying from the street/green where all the kids play). Also the kids he plays with are his friends/classmates and they all know to come get an adult in an emergency (like last week when one of the wee ones couldn't get down from a tree!) A year later he still sticks to the rules religiously and has gained so much confidence and I can finally send to him to the corner shop when I run out of milk for my coffee

OSETmum · 20/07/2017 20:50

Ds is 8 and he's only just starting to ride his bike on our quiet street. He has no road sense though, despite my best efforts.

Porkpudding · 20/07/2017 21:40

My daughter is 6 and plays out ( just in the street) her brother is 9 nearly 10 and is allowed out within all the areas of the small town we live in. We live at the end of cul de sac and a few children the same age are allowed to play out also.

Jupitertomars · 20/07/2017 21:50

Mine is 5.5 and plays outside unsupervised with a 4,6,7 & 10 yo. He loves it and to be honest so do I. Its nice to see him outside in the fresh air having fun and being sociable. Id much rather he was out playing than inside bored watching tv ect.

I do look out often and its a fairly quiet street and they only play up and down the front of our houses or in one of the gardens.

It sometimes crosses my mind whether others may judge but as a lot of the kids are out and of a similar age I thought it was pretty standard.

Mrsglitterfairy · 20/07/2017 21:54

I don't let my DS who is the same age play out apart from in the front and back garden. DS who is 9 has only just started playing out this summer and I still fret about him and he's really sensible

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HungerOfThePine · 20/07/2017 21:57

I let my dc aged 7 play out only as far as the next doors house and I pretty much supervise her at all times. She will talk to anyone even if I've literally just told her before going out not to talk to strangers/random people, she isn't street smart yet although I've let her go wander with an older child.

Depends on the child really I was born in 90's and free roaming from aged 7 with not much older brother and alone when I was not much older than that, and I'm talking miles from home don't recommend that much freedom though WinkGrin

Italiangreyhound · 20/07/2017 21:58

OP only do what you feel happy to do. Always trust your own judgement.

DrablittleCrab · 20/07/2017 21:59

My dd is 4 and plays out with the boy across the street. We live at the bottom of a quiet culdesac and the door is always left open. We can always either hear or see her playing so know she's safe.

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