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Original poster

Would you allow a 6 year old to go out alone?

310 replies

tonari · 24/08/2025 19:38

Almost 7.

To walk around the block with (very) small placid dog. Takes less than 5 mins.

Small, quiet village.

OP posts:
MadameTwoSwords · 24/08/2025 20:43

tonari · 24/08/2025 19:38

Almost 7.

To walk around the block with (very) small placid dog. Takes less than 5 mins.

Small, quiet village.

I would, as I also live in a tiny community but you know you're going to get flamed by the NO WAY HUN PEADO'S BEHIND EVERY TREE mumsnetters (who paradoxically think it's fine to give a kid the same age a smartphone)

dontcryformeargentina · 24/08/2025 20:37

Never

Typicalwave · 24/08/2025 20:36

No.

MrsSkylerWhite · 24/08/2025 20:35

InMyShowgirlEra · 24/08/2025 20:20

You do know that London is not the whole of the UK and most of us do not live in Brixton, right? There's a substantial number of people who live in small, safe villages where the neighbours mostly know each other, the kids look out for one another (and tell on each other if they're not being safe) and they're not afraid to let their kids out.

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Yes. Lived from Cornwall to the south coast to the midlands to the NW of England since then. Wouldn’t send a 6 year old out by themselves in any of those places because that would have been an incredibly, stupidly, irresponsible thing to do. Obviously.

Sheldonsheher · 24/08/2025 20:35

They definitely do in Scotland, but not all, and obviously it depends on the route to home and the school. Depends if rural or city. Depends on the child. This child is nearly 7 not just turned 6. However probably a dog is too much of an unpredictable factor.

TheCurious0range · 24/08/2025 20:33

BeltaLodaLife · 24/08/2025 20:24

Scotland

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6 year olds walk to and from school alone in Scotland? Not when I lived there

AiryFairyLights · 24/08/2025 20:33

tonari · 24/08/2025 19:38

Almost 7.

To walk around the block with (very) small placid dog. Takes less than 5 mins.

Small, quiet village.

100% NO!!

Wrenjay · 24/08/2025 20:32

Not with a dog. Yes absolutely on their own or with friends in an area they are used to and are confident doing so. My niece at the age of 12 had never been to the local shop on her own and has never really grown up confident (now over 40).

Daisymail · 24/08/2025 20:32

Not a chance, are you being serious?

MrsSkylerWhite · 24/08/2025 20:31

BeltaLodaLife · 24/08/2025 20:25

I assure you my children were not terrified. They are now very secure, independent and street savvy tweens. It’s all fine, don’t you worry.

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I’m glad you were lucky.

TheGreatWesternShrew · 24/08/2025 20:29

No. It’s not just about them being abducted - which could happen - what if an aggressive dog attacks them or the dog? The child couldn’t handle that. What if they’re hit by a bike or car?

GroovyChick87 · 24/08/2025 20:28

No chance. It's not only that I don't think it's safe for the 6 year old, but what if the dog runs off or the child doesn't want to pick up the poo? Too many things to go wrong.

Zezet · 24/08/2025 20:26

MrsSkylerWhite · 24/08/2025 20:21

Amazed at how many parents tell themselves that a 6 year old walking to/from school is perfectly safe.
Convenient?, yes, probably. Perfectly safe, probably not.

Cultural habit partly I think. Germany has large parts where it's firmly ingrained that the kids walk alone at that age.

ForgottenPasswordNewAccount · 24/08/2025 20:26

Absolutely yes

I am shocked at how little independence people give to children

No wonder we have a generation of young adults with feck all coping skills

chunkybear · 24/08/2025 20:25

Is this a joke?! A 6 year old is too young to be out alone with no adult to care.
a dog may be fine, but if another dog comes or if someone wants to steal your dog your child is going to be traumatised forever
if someone wants to take your 6 year old they can pretty much say or do anything and he’ll obey
FFS parent your child and care for your dog … whether it’s you or a person you’re asking advice for - insane idea

Pppppplease · 24/08/2025 20:25

Not a chance, i have a 6 year old and I've seen a child from his class riding their bike around our estate on his own and its awful parenting if I'm totally honest. Anything could happen.

BeltaLodaLife · 24/08/2025 20:25

MrsSkylerWhite · 24/08/2025 20:16

What?
I had to walk home from Jessop primary school in Brixton when I was 6 years old, 55 years ago. It was terrifying then. I’ve no doubt whatsoever that it’s worse now.
Because you can doesn’t mean you should. No 6 year old should be left to cope with that.

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I assure you my children were not terrified. They are now very secure, independent and street savvy tweens. It’s all fine, don’t you worry.

Laura95167 · 24/08/2025 20:25

Not with the dog. I wouldnt risk them encountering another dog.

If they want to take the dog id go with them

Sheldonsheher · 24/08/2025 20:25

People
do where I am. Well I don’t have a dog but I let my seven year old out round my estate. People walk home from 7 and 8 here Scotland , so I think it depends what you mean by round the block. Also depends maybe a dog would be too much of a hazard.

Zezet · 24/08/2025 20:25

My six years old comes and goes in our own street to and fro friends unsupervised.

I wouldn't leave her in charge of a small dog in the street. The risk of a bad interaction with another (big) dog are too big IMO.

Momstermash94 · 24/08/2025 20:25

A little boy drowned in a canal where I used to live in a quiet rural village because he was out with just his dog and a friend and the dog went into the canal swimming, the boy thought the dog was in danger and went in after him. He shouldn't have been anywhere near there but sadly he was and lost his life. Even if you have no water near you the point is that children can get into danger so easily and even if you tell them they aren't allowed in a certain area or passed a certain point once they are out of sight how do you stop it happening. At that age I definitely wouldn't. I'd give it a couple more years at least

Zanatdy · 24/08/2025 20:25

Absolutely not.

TeenLifeMum · 24/08/2025 20:25

No, not a chance.

BeltaLodaLife · 24/08/2025 20:24

TheCurious0range · 24/08/2025 20:20

Switzerland?

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Scotland

VIOLETPUGH · 24/08/2025 20:24

absolutely NO !