AIBU to wonder why my kids can't play without supervision

[mata777]

I left my kids, son (6) and daughter (2 1/2) in the garden on their own for 5 minutes while I got their lunch ready. In that short time they soaked each other with water, poured sand over each other heads and broke a toy.
There are kids my son's age and maybe a bit older than my daughter running around the area (parents from council housing don't check on them all afternoon) and they seem to be OK.
What have I done wrong with mine?

They were playing on their own though? Not understanding why being wet or sandy in your own back garden on a hot day is naughty. They're kids being kids. How was the toy broken? Is it an expensive/important toy?

Oh dear OP, prepare to be flamed.
Pass the popcorn!

about the goats ..... when i got my council house i got 2 goats and they have now had a kid and have just picked up the keys to their own council house...... stealth boast???

Wow, your kids behave worse than council kids? Pop them over to social services and start again. Move to the estate first though.

A goat? I want a goat!

The 6 year olds locally are being brought up to be better behaved maybe? And their parents don't worry about them soaking each other with water on a hot day?

I don't know, my 6 and 3 year olds manage for up to an hour in the garden or downstairs while I'm upstairs having a lie in cleaning.

Imagine the shame of having naughtier kids than them off the estate!

smallchance

You got a whippet? And a WHOLE bath for the coal?

You were lucky...

Being honest. If you want kids to play independently, you need to start with short periods, and build up. It is a skill they need to learn. It does not magically happen at a certain age.

... council house kids are the only ones who play out unsupervised for a long time

I'm not a snob

You sure about that?

My kids play happily for hours. I do not live in a council house. I was brought up in one though.... You've just said that the council house kids are more well behaved!

I was going to post something witty, then scathing but now I'm completely bemused by the OP. What are Council house children? They don't sound like mine?!

Nousernameforme - the water was from the garden tap - so thanks for the comment about drowning ... (Do you leave your kids on their own near taps indoors?)

You have to leave them to it and not jump in to parent at the slightest whine. Also be realistic, leaving children with sand and water will probably mean they get sandy and wet.

I live in a council house and if I leave them alone in the back garden they near enough kill each other. Think I might have to move to a less desirable estate and let them roam free until they learn how to behave

Does 'council housing' even exist now, I thought it was housing association now? Fwiw I've lived in 'council', private, housing association and now own an ex council house. Across the board some kids can play happily with others unsupervised and others need supervision; some parents like to supervise closely, others with older kids may more relaxed and don't. Nothing to do with types of housing.

I agree, I wouldn't let a 6 year old play with a 2 year old unsupervised. take 2 year old in with you. 2 year should be in eye line at all times until around late 3 years old. 6 year old should be able to occupy herself for short chunks of time.

What a disgusting generelisation about people in council houses, does it make you feel better that you own your own house? talk about belittling people!! And not all people in council houses leave their children to play unsupervised, neither do they all sit on their asses not working with big tellies ect, I amactually appalled by your post!

Oh and p,s I would never leave a 6 year old babysitting a 2 year old!

I live in a huge council housing area and have done for 22 years.

Yet I can honestly tell you I don't know anyone who would think leaving a 2yr old and a 6yr old alone together in the garden, is a good idea.

Op I live in council housing, I've never left my kids play unsupervised at all.

Go and piss off with your labels, ta

Well I think that is not unexpected if you leave a 2yr old and 6yr old alone with sand and water.

Zaphods

smallchance

You got a whippet? And a WHOLE bath for the coal?

Forget the whippet... and the bath... she got coal?

Um wow. Sorry for the replies you've been getting, it always surprises me which threads get the rude replies.

Do you hover over them quite a bit? If so, perhaps they felt like it was their chance for freeeedom! And went a bit mad. Mind you, a 2 year old is bound to get themselves in a mess so I wouldn't worry too much. You could try showering the 6 yr old with praise whenever he behaves well while out of your sight so that he gets the idea.