...to think an 11 year old should be back in his own garden when dark falls?

[NeumsyPeddie]

Tell me honestly, am I being overprotective? My eldest is 11 and I have the rule that he has to be back in our garden at dark, but this means that this time of year he has to be home dead early so he says that's unfair. We live in a really safe area (northeast suburban village) and he's rarely ever alone. He's a good kid and rarely has homework because he does it all at achool so he can go out after school. His friends are all really lovely boys with great parents too, so it's not them I'm worried about. It's everyone else!

But he's always asking:

"If I can stay out til 7:45 on weekends in the summer why do I have to be home at half six on weekends in the winter?"

My answer is that thing I always swore I'd never say: "Things can go wrong alot easier in the dark than in daylight."

My Mom used to say that to me and I hated it, but now I think it's true. Is 11 old enough to be out after dark if he has a phone? I don't worry at all about him in the daylight, and I totally trust him. Its just that Cave Mom Instinct that thinks he should be back in the cave after dark or he'll get eaten by a sabretooth tiger. Whats the verdict??

Wait till he is nearly 15 like Ds1... You get their mates calling for them at 9.00/9.30....

Yeah, lesley33, I think you may be right about the mom part. I grew up in a rural area but moved to Chicago as an adult and the crime in the area where I lived was horrible. I do think I worry too much about "something happening" which is too vague and not fair.

Lol, Bellavita, at 15 he can be out after dark if he wants. ;D lol

I am relieved to hear that

I can't offer much advice as I've no idea of the "dangers" in the dark in a NE suburban village - I would not be happy with DS (nearly 11) roaming about in the dark where we live (not quite in the London riots, but close) or DD who is 12. But they are allowed quite a bit of freedom in the daytime.

What do they do when they roam? DS only plays footie or hangs round the swings ATM.

Well, he loves you guys now. I've compromised and told him 7:30 unless it becomes a problem. Also, there's to be a destination. No random roaming. He's very happy. Lol...[hgrin]

(Lol, bigtilly, I'm still really new here and didn't realize you were joking....pffffftttttttttt! I'm a dork! LOL!)

What about keeping his 'return' time the same as in Summer, but maybe set a rule whereby he needs to text you at nightfall to say whos house they have de-camped to?

If the other parents (or 75%) Also like their kids somwhere by nightfall, maybe they'd apprecitate the same should they all de-camp to your garden at nightfall?

At least then you'd know the way he's walking home and where to get to should the need arise?

It's OK! Beware, there's alot of joking here [hgrin]

I'm really lucky (and out poor beknighted boys are very unlucky-lol) that's there's alot of communication between all us parents. So that's a great solution too blackflame!

Thanks for the good ideas guys, and thanks for being honest!

*our

Lol, Tilly, the stupid thing is, I'm married to a British comedian so I have no excuse after 8 years of living here if still being culturally inept. LOL!

British Comedian???

C'mon, you have started now.... So you will have to finish!!!

Yeah that's what I thought

susie

John Bishop?

Cannon & Ball

Little and Large

Peter Kay

Michael McIntyre

\oooooh, can I have three clues who as my treat for a good suggestion on the thread??

Ooooooh! It can't be Micky Flanagan as he's a nighbour! Saw him the other day and he was fab!

Is it Vic Reeves? Has he got children?

Do Ant and Dec count as comedians and do they have children?

Bill Bailey
Frankie Boyle
Simon Amstell
Jimmy Carr
Jack Dee
Phil Jupitus
Paul Merton
Rory McGrath

He's lucky you like to LOL so much then

I'm not a fan of kids roaming round after dark- stick to your guns as long as possible, I'd say.

Vic Reeves does indeed have children - he has a boy that lives in the next village to us! But he is not with the mum.

Do they live in a suburban NE village, Bella?

Lol, no, no, not anyone that big yet. (Christ, if I was married to John Bishop he'd never get outta the sack to get to a gig and I'd have 12 kids! LOLOL!)

Although, he (DH, not John Bishop!) is in Manchester at the moment filming a pilot for BBC2 called "Hebburn", so look out for that. :)

He was a double act with Ross Noble for many years, he did lots of local tv, he was a pro wrestler for awhile too. I try not to name drop if I can help it. Wink [hwink]

Not NE but ooop north ....

Ooh we have a celebs wife on MN[hgrin]

I do "lol" too much, don't I? [hblush] I can tell you that I know where Rowan Atkinson spends his weekends, and that one of my twins middle name is "Sarah" after Sarah Millican. Will that satisfy you? [hsmile]

I am not a fan of kids roaming around in the dark either.

If you don't bring them up, the streets will.