to be annoyed that a 11-year old that is over to play is not allowed outside without an adult?

[goldenteapot]

AIBU?! My children usually play out on the street after school (rural area, no cars) but this child's mother has says she is never allowed out on her own because she is too young.

AIBU? I'm working so I can't take them outside all afternoon! I've told them they will have to watch tv.

yep kids aren't allowed out and "oh woe, all our kids are getting fat" complete link.

Is there really no middle ground between not going outside and watching TV? Can they not do something inside that isn't watching tv?

not that I've noticed...

It DOES feel bonkers and I'm really annoyed because although she was over 'to play' I had assumed that as it's a lovely day, they would be outside until bedtime. :(

What a shame, by the time she is allowed out she will have no interest in being a child and playing out.

Child's mother is going to have to recognise that thousands of 11 year old children go out on their own when they start going to secondary school.

Is she not even allowed in the garden (if you have one)?

YANBU.It IS ridiculous. My sister won't allow her 11 year old DD outside on her own and the poor kid goes stir crazy. Doesn't matter how much Her DD begs to play out or I try to get my sister to see reason, she won't allow it.

I think by age 11 a child should be well able to play outside. Its a bit paranoid to keep a child indoors because you are scared something will happen.

How on earth will the child get to secondary school??

Probably be driven there.

We don't have a garden unfortunately - we back onto a sort of field but she's not allowed out there.

She is a lovely child but I hate having children around the house on a sunny day!! Everyone else in the street is outside!

YANBU but why do they have to watch TV? Can't you think of anything else to do with them or alternatively go outside with them for a while?

Good grief. Wtf. how's she getting to school if not bus by herself?

sod that

I was never allowed to at that age either.

They are playing on their ipads I think.

Probably chatting to paedos... :/

I really cannot be bothered to stand in the street watching 11 year olds playing. It's mad. And I'm supposed to be MNing working...

I was allowed to walk to school but my mum did the walk first so she knew how long it would take me. I had to come straight him after school.

At about 13 a group of us were allowed to go to the cinema etc together.

So it's a street then.

I'm feeling a bit sad for those of you who didn't play outside with your friends as children. It sounds really unhealthy!

Can they play in a garden?

I was playing out on my own at age 7. I walked to school with friends at age 8 and my friend and I used to get the bus into the City when we were 11. I feel sorry for kids who are not allowed to play out.

'I'm feeling a bit sad for those of you who didn't play outside with your friends as children. It sounds really unhealthy!'

Eh? Of all the things to waste time being sad about. I grew up in places that hard serious kidnapping risks. Am a well-adjusted adult and had no problem leaving home at 16 and living as an exchange student in France for a year, going to uni, travelling, etc.

Made not a jot of difference.

Only Brits get all het up over this whole play out business.

What about people who live in flats on busy roads in urban areas?

We live in a maisonette that starts on the first floor. Can't see the front from it, and the front is a car park on a 40mph road with no road or traffic signs that people speed down. The guy downstairs is an ex con and probably a good number of the other tenants.

So mine don't play out.

They're doing fine at school and have plenty of friends. My DD is 9 and no longer interested in 'playing out'. The girls go upstairs to the other one's room and play in there.

I've always been in fairly rural areas and it is lovely to go outside and have all that freedom from a young age.

That poor kid. How on earth will she ever learn to risk take if she's got mummy breathing down her neck all the time.

I'd let them out and tell her mother you could see them from the window.

Eleven years old and she can't play out? Fuck me that's hardcore.

Has she given a reason at all?

Fair enough if you live in a rough area with known problems, but if you don't then I just don't get it.

Well, good on you, golden. I don't feel I missed out at all. In fact, I miss all the cultural experiences living in a large city offered me.