Nervous about dd playing out in woods

[wisecamel]

So I'm sat here worrying because she's out with a friend and has gone to play in the local woods - well not really foresty woods, more sort of copicey woods near the estate, but still...

She's 10 and her friend's pretty savvy and has a mobile, she has to be back by 4pm, but she can't tell the time so I've asked her friend to let her know.

Anyway, the woods are literally 2 mins walk away and right next to houses and no roads to cross, and I am sitting here being a nervous wreck thinking she's not got the sense she was born with. AIBU to be this worried? Also...need the company until 4pm when she should be back in one piece!

What do you think will happen?

You need to teach her how to tell the time - what if her friend forgets to let her know?

Have you set an alarm on her phone? If not, do that next time so she definitely knows when she needs to be back.

Stop worrying, she'll be fine! :)

She will be fine

Could you walk the dog?

she will be fine! it's one of the greatest pleasures of being a kid!

She'll be fine. It's 25 minutes, 2 minutes away and a chance to prove she's sensible.

The first time I let DS go to the local very safe play area on his own with an older friend, I 'accidentally' took DD along for a play after about 15 minutes! .

They were fine, as I should have known they would be!

Can you pop out for a quick look without being seen if you're really worried?

I'd be more concerned about my dd not being able to tell the time at 10 than I would her being out

Oh, God, I don't know, dragons? Being lured away by charming 'bad man'? Falling out of a tree? Don't want to start thinking about it.

She's dyslexic (and a bit lazy) and never grasped telling the time and now avoids it because she's ashamed. I know it's an issue .

Yy. Is there any reason she can't tell the time op?

Sorry x posted

She will be fine and you do need to teach her how to tell the time.
I have a house full of 9y olds right now because they got to cold and all decided to pile round here.

Roll on 4.30!

Dragons live in pavement cracks

No problem, GrimSweeper . Thanks everyone, I know it'll be fine, but nice to have some company while I pace up and down wait for her to be back.

In future could you get her a watch with an alarm

Digital watch? :o

6 minutes to go!

See the time flew didn't it!

She'll be much safer in the woods than playing anywhere near traffic.

I know what you mean though OP. There's just something about "the woods" that make us a bit jittery but she'll be fine

I think I can bargain with her as she has started to want to go out more. If she wants to go out, she needs to take a watch and be able to use it. Perhaps it might motivate her to learn. She does have one, but never wears it in case someone asks her the time!

YANBU I would be like you.....I am sure she's loving the freedom though! Well done for letting her go!

Hey OP I was playing in the massive woods, 15 minutes from my house from dawn til dusk from about the age of 9. Parents no idea where I was and still have happy memories. Nothing bad ever happened. It's great she's learning to be independent.

Phew, she's back! And hasn't been eaten / drowned / injured. She snuck in and put her head round the door and said 'I hope you're not telling all the other mums to keep an eye on me! I AM FINE'

So, happy to report, I was BU. Will broach the time thing though.

Thanks everyone!

Good girl for coming back so promptly !

Her mate set her mobile alarm to remind them both. Aw! Perhaps at least one of them is more sensible than I gave them credit for. Dd was all excited about making dens when the weather is better, so I'm glad now.