9 year old left in park for 10 minutes

If the school think thats too young to walk to school (no one is allowed in year 4), then in my opinion, thats too young to be in the park alone

OPs not in the UK though. Italy I guess? Don't know about Italy, but 4-5year olds are expected to walk to school alone in Switzerland, if we decide based on school's opinion. And where I am in France, it would not even occur to any parent to question if 9-year olds can go to local park without supervision, of course they are old enough.

So if this is also the case in OPs country, I would suggest to adjust a bit, unless you want to be seen as a massively overprotective parent whose child is not allowed age-appropriate independence according to local standards.

I think you're over reacting. I have trained my kids to think independently for themselves. We often discuss what they might do/react to various situations and emergencies.
Both are under 11 and well capable and confident to be left alone for short periods of time.
As a parent it is important to care but also allow them some independence so that the responsibilities as they grow into young adults is progressive and not a sudden impact.

If it's not something you're doing yet with your son as I'm guessing he is in year 4, then it's understandable that you were taken aback at him being left without adult care.

Where do you live that leaving two 9 years olds in a park for 10 mins in broad daylight is so dangerous? downtown Kyiv?

Kids need building up to independence. He was with a friend and it was a few minutes. In a couple of years he’ll be going to secondary school, and I’m assuming he’ll be travelling alone then.

If you want to leave your child alone in a park that's one thing (and a risky decision in my opinion), but you absolutely should NOT leave someone else's child!

So when is it appropriate to leave someone else's kid unsupervised without checking with the parent first? Most 17-yo would not be impressed, even if technically children.

I’d never be allowing play dates there again. The dad might be ok to leave his own child but you can’t leave someone else’s without their consent. Can’t believe how many people think you are being unreasonable.

I guess hard to police walking to school, although we are in a place where most parents know alot of the kids/other parents through the different years, so probably would be noticed if it was a regular thing and reported to the school.

Walking home is easy to police as you have to be collected by a parent before Year 5 and totally agree with that. Ive never heard a parent suggest to me about their child walking home before that school year. I was happy with mine walking at that age as I knew I could trust them to come straight home.

I wouldn’t have a problem with this particular scenario whatsoever and think I’m on the cautious side - but not extreme.

For comparison, I agree with DC starting go to school on public transport from age 10 as part of developing confidence for secondary school.

Surprised a significant minority agree with you, though much seems to be caution over potential batshittery.

I think you are. His mate was with him and in a couple of years he will be at senior schools with much more independence. I think you can loosen the apron strings, honestly.

You’re being ridiculous. It probably hadn’t crossed the other parents mind that they were doing something controversial or that your child had never been alone in the park before because he is 9, not a baby.

My 9 year old goes to the park on their own for 20 minutes. But if I was looking after someone else's 9 year old I would check with parent/carer before allowing

I used to play down by the river all by myself with my dog at that age. Mind you she would have taken a lump out of anyone that came near me.

Why is it risky? They're nine, not four.

i wonder how they can police how children travel TO school.

Things are busier on the roads than when I was a kid. However, we were playing over the park and going to the newsagent from about 4. I had more injuries playing in the garden than anywhere else. I don't remember them but I apparently had a couple of visits to have stitches in a split lip falling off the garden wall.

Bumps, bruises and scrapes are all part of growing up.

If you want to leave your child alone in a park that's one thing (and a risky decision in my opinion), but you absolutely should NOT leave someone else's child!

Exactly! Have just been told I'm appalling for letting my child run to the shop to buy a sweet! Hahaha. Funnily enough she got a head teachers award for being amazing at counting out change from money.

Why? We live in a small village, not central London.

And people wonder why children are so anxious these days!They need to learn to think for themselves and be more independent .

I wonder if this is really area specific, and if it’s a case of doing what other parents do? I’m in the north of Scotland and Kids round here are playing out unsupervised from about age 7, my children have been walking to and from school alone from age 8 and it’s the same for the majority of their friends. I’m amazed how many people are scared of kidnapping, how often does that actually happen? I’m away to google statistics!

Like other posters, I don't think there's anything wrong with it per se, but I wouldn't leave another child alone with mine like that without express permission from parents

Exactly this. The risk assessment on here is also completely off.

What happens in the 16th minute?

And no it’s not illegal.

I would leave my 9yo alone in a park for 10 minutes, but wouldn't leave someone else's unless I had checked with their parents first.

Your child would be eaten alive by peers here if you continued to supervised them aged 9 at the park!
Is anyone able to assess risk:benefit rationally any more?