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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Opinion- children going to park alone

27 replies

Stresshead84x · 18/09/2024 16:23

We have a park that's a 2 minute walk away. There is one very busy road with traffic lights directly outside my house and then there's no other roads- the walk is down a well populated path and directly into the park which is always filled with local mums/school kids.

My middle son is 8 and on a wednesday I have him home for 2 hours while I work from home as he needs dropped off to a hobby after this, this works well, he often plays outside with friends where I can work at the window and keep an eye or he plays some games.

He's made friends with two little boys the same age who are allowed to go to the park together and he's now badgering me to let him go. I think he's still too young- I started to let my oldest go somewhere between 9 1/2 and 10 with friends but I would walk her over the big road and meet her on the way back- other than that I don't worry- she's sensible and it's not far. My son wants me to do the same with him, walk him over and then take my phone so he can call on the way back and meet him.

Logically I know it's safe enough but I just don't think he's quite old enough yet- aibu?

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 18/09/2024 16:28

It would be a no from me, especially as we are so close to winter. I'd revisit in the spring.

I only let my Y5 / 9yo (10yo in Jan) go to the park across the road with her older brother and they aren't allowed to take phones** - it's about 90 seconds away but across one zebra crossing. We started this in the Easter holidays.

** older child is 11 soon to be 12 and only he has a phone

Accbabymom1994 · 18/09/2024 16:26

Hi I wouldn't let him go , he is young and also there are all sorts of people in parks.