to not have been worried about DS going out with a friend from nursery?

[CrapBag]

DS (4 very soon) has a really good friend at nursery. His parents aren't having a party for his birthday but they are taking him to the local soft play area (its a mile from where we live) then they are going back to their house for a birthday cake after. I don't know the parents, just seen them when they are picking up their DS and I am picking up mine. The mum said that her DS would like our DS to go with them. I said thats fine and they are going to pick him up and take him out with their DS. I didn't think any more of it.

I was talking to DH the other evening who said that he was worried because we don't know the parents.

I now feel bad because I wasn't worried at all. Am I being too trusting? I assumed this is all part of children getting older and they do go with friends where we don't know the parents, apart from paths crossing in the playground.

DS will be no less than a mile away the whole time and I will make sure that me and the other mum swap mobile numbers so we can contact each other if we need to.

Do things like this worry other parents? Am I too relaxed or is DH just a bit paranoid (I do understand where he is coming from, he has made me think now) because DS is going out with someone who isn't family or a close friend for the first time?

It wouldn't worry me, but I do try and at least have a 'hello' relationship with my sons' friends parents... and mobile numbers!

Yes I would want to get to know the parents, and meet then first. Your child is only 4 and is still too young.

I would be fine with it. You are nearby if needed, and your little one will be on his first steps to a bit of independence.

I guess since we have arranged this by speaking at the nursery and the other boy has been invited to DS's birthday party, we are now on hello terms.

It'll be fine - DS will have a lovely time! PS, just make sure you know where they live when it's time to pick him up .... yes, I have been that parent who has to phone and says "um, actually, what's your address?"

My DC were going to friend's houses without me and being taken to places by their parents at age 3/4 but only families that I knew fairly well. I would have felt uneasy at them going off with people I only knew on a vague "hello in the playground" basis. However if your DS is ok about it I'm sure it will be fine and he will have a great time.

I think the circumstances you've mentioned are fine. I'm assuming your DS is happy to go along without you, and like you say they won't be far away and will have your number and vice versa.

In my son's class we all got to know each other in the playground and at parties when they were all about 3-4, 4-5 they were starting to go off without their own parents there, 5+ kids all usually happy to go off without mum or dad tagging along. Bit different for me as DS is autistic but in regular circumstances I think it's fine.

How nice that they want your DS there.

I must say for a still 3 year old, I would not want to send him solo (mine is same age) thats NOT a critique BTW just being honest . but its agreed now, so go for it!

I think if he's happy to go then it should be fine - just make sure she has your mobile number in case he gets upset - and be ready to go along should you be needed.