is this level of indipendance ok for 5 yr old?

[itsabiggywhatdoidonow]

I am usualy very good at judging this kind of thing but for some reason im questioning my judgment.

I dont want this to turn into a bunfight nor want accusations of hysteria at peodophiles on every corner but more would other people feel confident with this.

Dd is not long 5 and has been playing out alot recently either at or around front window, limited space to play here and we live in a quiet culdisac so yesterday I let her take football and skipping rope to the end of our terrace and play on the hard standing of mine and immediate 3 neighbours garages. This is out of my sight but have I some contact with these neighbours I know one very well one not to well and my nextdoor neighbour chat when we see eachother and dd chats more than me day to day if she catches them in the garden. so feel mostly safe, road generaly quiet an ideal for dd to master some road skills.

Dd desperate to do same today but Im cautiouse of her making a regular habit of playing round the corner on her own out of my sight so i encouraged her to go and knock for twin boys I have seen living across the end of culdisac. They seem similar age. Iv seen them playing out with dad who seems to live alone with boys and much older son about 18ish. Dd called on them and later came to ask if she could go in thier house. I said yes and later one of the boys asked if he could look inside my house. I sent them to ask dad. They then spent rest of afternoon in and out my house and thier house. I have never spoke to thier dad but tend to wave or nod as passing normaly in car etc. But they had a great time and boys very chatty, polite and quite adorable actualy.

does this seem ok for 5 year old?

i think it would be fine in a quiet cul de sac where you know your neighbours.

fwiw i am interested in the responses to this thread.I am a 70'S child and played out all the time,am wondering if the doubters are younger??

I let ds (7) go to local shop recently,he asked.It has 1 busy road with a zebra crossing.Strict instructions to be sensible about road and not talking to any strangers ("but I can talk to the ladies who take the money??" ) bless.Waits flaming.

I was on tenterhooks til he got back though:)

It is sad in some ways we have to live in such a "risk adverse" society.

see ,mavis DP wants to allow DS to walk to the corner shop (other side of the block) or to the park (end of the road) when DSS (10) visitis on their own, somehow i'm not happy with this at all, yet don't mind him playing out in the street.

well in response to ME I am a parent of 34 years so not that young and have a DS Of 4 and a DD of 1 year. Where I live we have a park opposite and some of the local children in the street go and play together without parents supervising and that is great. These children are from 7 /8 upwards.

I would not let my children out on their own until this age and would expect to know where they are at all times. What I do is go out with them and play with DD nad let DS play with the other children so that he feels a bit of independance.

These days we are much more aware of the dangers that are out there and it so easy to look back with rose tinted spectacles at yester year. I am not saying that you have to think there are peodophiles lurking behind bushes etc but still feel that is wrong to assume these things do not happen in quiet cul de sacs

Personally I would not let my DC play out of my sight at such a young age. But we had a bad experience, so that probably clouds my judgement.

Here most people let their children out from about 3+ I think they are nuts and definitely wouldnt let my daughter do it. One 5 year old boy was knocked over by a car whilst the parents were in the pub. He lived but it could easily have gone the other way. It makes my heart go every time I see the little ones crossing the roads, but I suppose it would be different if you lived in a very quiet road.

In response to ME most of the parents here are young (18 - 35ish mostly but majority in their 20s). They do things I would never dream of so I dont think its age group.

Also to ME age 7 to the shops perfecctly fine but here I have spoke to a 3 year old whos mum was in the pub and she was in the park on her own for an hour! I played with her the whole time with my DD. I see stuff like that all the time I know 4 year olds that play by the busy main road and I dont know how anyway could do some of the things I see in my area.

My dd would not be out of my or another repsonsible adults sight ( ie teacher, rainbow leader or other family member)

ilovedora, thats pretty shocking, obviously I would never ever do any of those things.

Dd was desperate to go out again after school and they boys knocked for her but she was out with her dad. Im happy with my decission and will alow her to play out.

My eldest dd did the same type of thing at 5, dd2 didn't as there didn't seem to be dc the same age on the street, but by 7 she was playing round two corners with her mates in a different street.