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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to let 6yo to the park alone.

14 replies

mumbar · 10/10/2010 13:02

There is a park opposite my house (literally) that has just been built. I am hesitant about letting DS 6.1 going alone altho lots of children do. He went over this morning whilst I hung out the washing but as its such a beautiful day I'm tempted to let him go again.

I can seee him from the house from the dining, kitchen and his bedroom window. As an only child I think it would be good for him but I'm also worried about his age and him hurting himself. He does have to cross the road to get there as well.

AIBU to let him go and WWYD??

Thanks.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 10/10/2010 13:03

I wouldn't, but my 7-year-old also has dyspraxia and isn't the best with road sense - getting better, though.

usualsuspect · 10/10/2010 13:03

I would if I could see him

maduggar · 10/10/2010 13:04

Mine went to a park in our road that I couldnt see from our house at that age. there were fine. So you are not being unresasonable at all.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 10/10/2010 13:05

TBH I wouldn't. I think 6 is too young to be on his own. Unless you're going to do nothing but watch him at all times.

CristinaTheAstonishing · 10/10/2010 13:06

Maduggar - but more than one child on his own?

zookeeper · 10/10/2010 13:06

I'd cross the road with him and keep an eye on him from the house

HecateQueenOfWitches · 10/10/2010 13:06

how busy is the road?

I wouldn't. I think 6 is a bit young. Unless you were watching him the whole time and were there to supervise road crossing both ways.

I can see that it's good for his independance and you have to weigh all this up in your risk assessment. (not written Risk Assessment but the risk assessments we all do day in day out naturally without even realising that's what we're doing) road danger, risk of injury, other risks v encouraging independence etc

Original poster

mumbar · 10/10/2010 13:06

expact glad to hear your dc is gaining some road sense thats great news. That is my biggest concern that DS is a more do and then think personality and I'm working really hard on getting him to slow down and think. He isn't a naughty child but isn't yet able to not to something he knows is wrong if others are doing it.

Usual - Do you think maybe saying 15 minutes and if he's sensible increasing it. I could clean kitchen and watch him at all times in case. I want to give him more freedom and it's hard when he can see and hear others out there from our house.

OP posts:

DooinMeSizers · 10/10/2010 13:07

Dd1 is almost 7 and she goes to the park opposite our house. I cannot always see her, but she has never been in trouble.

There is a large group of children who play there and they all look out for each other.

One child hurt themselves, once and between them they decided that his closest friend would stay with him to keep him calm, one other friend would go and get his mum and every one else raced home to their own parents, just incase they could get there and back before his mum.

By the time his mum got there, there were already four other parents and an older brother there looking after the boy, who had a scraped knee .

Little children are quite resourceful when given the opportunity.

usualsuspect · 10/10/2010 13:10

Yes, I would take him across the road and maybe fetch him back, after a certain amount of time ...I would be more worried about the road than the park tbh

screamingskull · 10/10/2010 13:13

let him go and see how both you and he feel after the 15 mins trial.

i let my son out to play he is 5 we live beside a road that is fairly busy, he doesn't cross it but i cant really see him when he is out.

if your son is anything like mine he will be in and out the house every 10 mins anyhow.

i really hated it when i wouldn't let him out and he used had to sit at the window watching all his school friends.

pranma · 10/10/2010 13:26

Can you get him a cheap,clear wristwatch and show him where the hands will be after 15 minutes and you watch him over the road?You can gradually extend the time when he learns to read the watch properly.

DooinMeSizers · 10/10/2010 13:30

Oh yes, they are always in and out and in out and in and out.........

Usually accompanied by half the park. Little johhny's mum said they can't have a biscuit, so could they get one here? Marie hasn't met the puppy yet, can she come in? Emma needs the loo and her house is all the way at the top of the street, etc.

Original poster

mumbar · 10/10/2010 16:28

Well I did it, and yes it was back and forth back and forth!!! Me as much as him

There were older children there who he played with. For some reason older children take a liking to DS and he becomes there mini mate Was there just over 2 hours in total and I spent 1/2 hour there and lots of short visits.

Worked out that when I'm more confident I can iron whilst watching him out of the dining room window

OP posts:

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