'Playing on the road': how do you manage it?

[MirandaG]

We've just moved from a flat on a busy main road in London to a house in a quiet suburban area of Dublin (big culture shoock all round but that's another story...) I've let my DD1 (4 3/4) go out to play on the road with some other little girls for short periods of time, but now she is obsessed with it, because of the novelty I suppose. She calls them her 'friends', although we don't know them at all, apart from the next door neighbours children, but there are three of them, so they all keep an eye on each other, I guess. The trouble is that now I think that she is really too young to be out there on her own - there are other children her age out, but they all seem to have older siblings. They are all on their scooters too, so I'm worried about her scooting on the road (very steep hill that they all zoom down on the actual road), car driving too fast and knocking her over or someone reversing out of a drive and not seeing her. I can't get a proper perspective on this because she is my first child and it's all new and I don't know the area at all. Help! My instinct is just to stop it and take her to the park instead until she is a bit older, although I realised earlier that winter is almost upon us so I guess the problem will be solved...temporarily...Would be good to know what others allow though. Thanks. Am logging off now but will be back on tomorrow.

[harpomarx]

If you're not comfortable, you're not comfortable. She's still quite little, so I don't think it's unreasonable for you to have fears like this.

[Jodee]

DS is 8.5 and doesn't play out on the road, but of course age is only one factor. I would trust your instincts - you seem uneasy. Do you have a garden that she could invite her new playmates into?

[NotAnOtter]

it sounds a wee bit risky to me and i would not let ds aged 5 do that and he is my 4th child

i would follow your instinct

brave move btw - is it lovely?

[MirandaG]

Hi all
Thanks for your responses - good to know that I am not just being over protective. We do have a garden but it's a bit soggy and we're renting the house at the moment, so I don't really want the whole gang trooping in and out! I think we might get her a set of swings, so that she will have something to do in the garden and invite one or two friends from school round at a time. Her little sister is only one but I'm hoping that by next summer they might play together a bit more. In the meantime more visits to the park and playground I think!
NotAnOtter, I didn't think it was a brave move because I am from Dublin originally, but left 18 years ago, so I am struggling more than I thought I would. Think it will take a bit of time to reassimilate, but luckily I still have quite a lot of old friends here - I would hate to be trying to make new ones, (not that I don't want to, but I could see that it would be difficult when everyone else is well established in the neighbourhood) Also I'm working from home so a little bit isolated. On the plus side my family are here, the area is lovely (although not as vibrant as where we were in London), great local school, sea and mountains nearby etc so overall the right thing...I think!

[NotAnOtter]

i am envious!

great name btw

[MirandaG]

I think you're the only person to have got it! Is there a story behind NotAnOtter? Yes it is lovely to be home, but after so long it is very strange too... miss London a lot