To have reported children out alone to police?

[BusyLizzie99]

This morning I was walking through the park when two young children, aged around 4 and 7, passed me on scooters. I expected whoever was with them was trailing behind as they were going quite fast. However, when we came to the end of the park they were waiting to cross the road and then crossed alone. They then proceeded to cross a busy road and there was no sign of any parent/carer. I called the non emergency number and reported them to the police as IMO they are too young to be out alone - they were debating whether to cross between moving cars rather than wait for the green man and the younger one in particular looked as though he may scoot across at the wrong time. However, I told my friend about it afterwards and she said I shouldn't have 'interfered' and 'how would I feel if I caused someone to lose their kids?' WIBU?

We do all have to make our own judgements about our own children. Sometimes they will be wrong. I agree Jamie but sometimes other people will perceive them to be wrong even if they aren't, and that doesn't make them right and you wrong.

When I started letting my son then aged 7 walk the 1 minute journey to and from school alone, several parents complained to the school on the grounds that,
'something' could happen to him on the way,
some children might see him walk home and walk home themselves,
their children would think it was unfair they couldn't walk home.

It could be argued they were looking out for mine and their children's welfare but it doesn't make them right in my opinion.

Did you actually step in and help them across the road?

YANBU. 4 is way too young to be out without an adult and crossing busy roads. Minding your own business isn't always a virtue.

Too young. Ok for 7 year old to walk to school alone but not on scooter or bike as this adds additional risks. 4 year old not ok walking or on scooter.

Fwiw we are moving to within 400 metres of our kids school - there is a pelican crossing at the busy road so just a few minor roads to cross - will let them walk to school (7 and 10) but not in charge of 3 year old and not on bikes or scooter. Haven't decided if I will let 7 year old on own or only with 10 year old.

My 9yr old goes to the park with my 5yr old dn. The park is about a 5 min walk. I dont see the problem.

I think you did the right thing. My uncle has been permanently disabled and in and out of wheelchairs all his life because at the age of five he ran out in front of a bus. He was being 'looked after' by his brother...who was six, at most seven. This happened in the fifties, when traffic was a whole other world.

My younger uncle has had his life changed immeasurably by that moment and my older uncle has always carried a huge sense of guilt about it, because he was meant to be in charge. But even young kids who adore their older siblings can become little brats when they want to, and a kid five or six years older than them will struggle to control them. They just don't have the capacity, the foresight, the strength, whatever. In the house where the dangers are all known and can be quite controlled it's not so much of an issue, but out on the roads...

I should add - some five or six year olds may be able to go out alone e.g. playing out the front or walking a short trip round the corner. But I don't agree with making older children responsible for them, that's not fair. If the younger child can't be out safely alone then they need adult supervision (or that of a very competent teenager).

Did you not say anything to the 4yr old about crossing roads safely before you reported them?!

I was just telling my dd about a time when I was 10 and given responsibility for looking after my 5 yo brother. He fell in the river and I got in real trouble from my mum. So I think you were right to call in about a 7yo being responsible for a 4 yo.

If my child was out playing and minding their own business and someone came up asking them questions my child would get scared.

They were going fast as on scooters, only caught up with them at crossing for busy road. Older one looked 'shifty' and was trying to make the younger.one be quiet about dodging traffic so I didn't want to interrogate them and spook them into crossing suddenly. Once they'd crossed they went off at speed but were heading in the direction of another park so hopefully the police found them there and helped them to get home safely.