Play date

[wwyd123]

My DS(6) went on a play date afterschool on Friday. He went to friends house and then he tells me the two boys went to the park alone (I believe him, I asked if the boys mum knew and he said yes as he checked it was OK to go. He confirmed it was just the 2 of them no older siblings ect)

1. I am interested to hear if people think IABU to be upset/anoyed by this. Although this isnt an AIBU because I dont think I am but just wondered what others think.

2. WWYD? speak to the mum? and say we dont let him go out with out a grown up. Or just declinbe future invites? I have already accepted an invite for a day trip in the holidays

You see period that is what i thought. "What was she thinking?" keeps recuring in be head. But then the second poster thought it OK

Thanks sqibble I may say something along the lines of he isnt ready for a day out and I will take him and meet them there

6 is too young for them to be at the park alone. I live in very safe, posh suburbs (left my car unlocked with the door open today for nearly an hour while at the park with DC due to severe post baby sleep deprived brain fog and amazingly it was untouched when we came back, not a thing removed or disturbed, let alone the car itself being stolen!! This blew my mind relative to areas we have previously lived) and the oldest age kids would go to the park alone here would be 9 or 10 too. They really don't have much sense at 6.

That said I would fact check your DC's claim with the parents because it could be the parent or someone did come along but your DS got his wires crossed somehow.

Where we are - sort of small town with odd open pond - I'm expecting to let dc go out to park with friends, closely supervised (as in not there but withiin 5 mins to run to) at around aged 10.

Mainly because I've gradually developed an understanding about safety and an abiltity to swim.

Don't let people rush you into it.

Who gives an eff what they think is normal.

Am shocked at anyone who would think 6 is old enough to go to the park alone. I wouldn't even let my 9 year old go alone!

For context, I live in a nice part of London, it is usual for parents to walk their kids in year 5 and then some start walking alone in year 6.

I would say something to the mum because even if she thought it ok, she should have checked it with you. Just something like "Can I just check something with you as DS said he went to the park alone with your DS and I just wanted to double check this is true?" If she confirms it then "Oh right, it's just that I don't allow DS to go to the park alone and am very uncomfortable with it."

Thanks for the replies. Think I will say something along the lines of what cake said, Face to face is a must I think. Will be ackward as I dont what her to think i am questioning her parenting. But after the conversation it will look like i dont trust her when I dont let him go on the day trip alone or to her house again.

If she says they did go to the park alone and she wont let them go again as I am not comfortable with it. Would you let your DC go there again?

It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks - if you are not ok with it, you are not ok. Go with what you think.

I think her response will be very telling. If she gives it a bit of a "oh whatever" attitude then no, I couldn't feel I trusted her.