to think a 3 year old shouldn;t be playing out on their own

[mumblecrumble]

Came home again to find out opposite neighbours' 3 and 7 month old on her bike in the road at the back of our house (her house is opposite the front of our house). I was slow, car comng opposite wasn't and she had a near miss. Not a busy road... but a road.

I took my three year old out of car, popped in her side with dome sandwiches while I was coming and out with shopping. Neighbour's kid started picking the non-edible orange berries from our next door neighbors bush... I stopped he and said she should ask her mum before she eats anthing etc... She started loading them in her bike basket...

She then started chasing an empty can that rolled in the wind across the street..

What would you do folks? This is happening aaaall the time. Am I just a bit precious with my three year old?

Yanbu poor little thing

Yanbu. Sounds like neglect tbh. What are dome sandwiches?

some sandwiches....

Its nightmare really cos the lady next door to her has a three year old boy who is out and abut on his own too... Was beginning to think I was over protective (though I wont change what I do!!)

We have made the decision that when our 3 year old 'plays out' even on the grassy bit in front of the house we will be staying with her till she is around 8 then popping in and out to see her... We quite enjoy playng out with all the big kids and she gets so much out of it - I had a wicked summer building dens, finding worms etc and the kids were helping em with my garden, having picnis etc...

Most of the big kids parents (age 6-10) call out of their doors every 15 mins or so.. but the 3 year olds mums seem to leave them... [ and wack them if they go in...]

Just referred to childrens services nd feel quite dreadfull...

You've no reason to feel dreadful, I'd do the same as you. Rather that than do nothing and feel responsible if the child got hurt in any way.

I can't get my head around the mindset of anyone who would let a 3yo play out unattended by a responsible adult. Thank goodness for peope like you who care.

Thanks,
I feel like an interfering busybody who is preaching to other parents :(

Mumblecrumble, it sounds like the best thing that poor child has going for her right now is you, a neighbor concerned enough to look out for her best interests when the people who should care for her most can't seem to be bothered :( . The image of an unsupervised 3 year old having to entertain herself by chasing that can in the street is going to stay with me for awhile. You absolutely did the right thing.

Was it just the one child you called about, or both 3 year olds that regularly play out on their own?

well done for acting on this, I have a 3.5 year old and imagining her alone outside makes me feel quite jittery. I would imagine that if the parents are negligent in this way then she's probably not having a great time at home either and all the better that someone can just check it out in an official capacity. You totally did the right thing.

YANBU - but I've paticipated on threads like this before. There are LOADS of people who thinks it's perfectly acceptable to let their 3 yr olds play out alone. The latest one wasn't long ago - with someoen saying they let their 3 yr old and 5 yr old go to the park near their house alone as it's no different to letting them play in their garden.

It is neglectful, and I cringe at the thought of a 3 yr old be alone for nay period of time without an adult. My dd is 6 and I wouldn't even let her play out alone just yet.