Am I being over protective of my son?

[natty1982]

So over the weekend we went out with another couple we know.
This involved walking a fair distance along a pavement at the side of a very busy 50mph limit road.
My DS (4) ran off with their DS round a corner and I couldn't see them.
Almost had kittens
The other mum did not seem bothered that she couldn't see her DS or that he was scootering along the side of this stupidly busy road.
I felt like I was overreacting by telling my DS to slow down and walk with me.
AIBU and OTT? Do I need to chill out a bit and trust my DS or is he too young?

I honestly have taught 4 year olds that would be safe to do this. They are the exception, but they do exist. I agree it's not the norm at all but children develop at different rates.

Obviously as a teacher, they are always in a line with adult supervision...but on school trips, a 4 year old without SEN or behavioural challenges won't be holding an adults hand.

We would all agree that 2 year olds should be in sight if not actually held! Likewise, most would agree by 8, children should be able to safely cross a road. So it's a gradual process that does depend on the maturity of the child, family expectations and particular life experiences.

i think staying in sight is perfectly reasonable at this age.

Not quite the same as being near a busy road, but my mum still tells the story of when I was 4 and we were visiting a stately home type place with gardens. mum was walking with her friend, while the children (aged 4-6) ran ahead. 3 boys and 1 girl (me) ran round the corner, mum and her friend followed a few paces behind. mum turns the corner to find 3 boys standing next to a pond and my feet sticking straight up out of it.

If mum had been further behind, I could easily have drowned. the other children had all frozen in panic and weren't strong enough to get me out anyway. Mum said it was the single most terrifying moment of her life.