to think I can let my children play outside if I want to?

[RagamuffinAndFidget]

Disclaimer: I am pretty sure IANBU but I am happy to be told otherwise!

We live in a v.quiet cul-de-sac off an almost-as-quiet estate. We have a lovely little grass area opposite our house, which is at the very end of the road - ie, no cars will ever be driving past because there is literally nowhere else to go past our house. There is a footbridge which cuts through to the next road along, which has a small playground (about 100 yards away from the footbridge, which is right next to my house). My oldest DCs are 9 and 7. They are allowed to play outside and to walk across to the playground (they are only allowed to go together and not to go anywhere else - eldest DC has a phone for medical reasons so they are contactable).

NDN has two DC aged 7 and 4 and thinks I am VVVVVVVVVU (and has said so a number of times!) to let my DCs play out, especially DC2 (who is the same age as her eldest DC). I really can't see what all the fuss is about?! She says that her DC would have to be 'much older' before she let them do this, that she wouldn't dream of leaving them unsupervised, etc. AIBU to tell her to bugger off and mind her own business?! I am at home the whole time and can actually still hear the noisy little sods even when they're at the playground, and it's not like I'm leaving them there while I disappear to the pub! Each to their own and all that, right?

Go on Mumsnet Jury, what's your verdict?

Others may disagree but I would say yanbu. My twins are 6 and play out alone. In contrast my eldest never played out alone at any age, he has autism and it just wasn't safe.
I can see my dc's from the house and they stay where they are meant to. They are extremely sensible and calm children, my older 2 were totally different so it very much depends on temperament as well as age.

Maybe she has an anxiety problem and/or something happened to her when she was a child that has scared her off letting her children play at that age.

Personally, I grew up in London and I don’t think I would be comfortable letting them play at that age, just because I don’t trust the general public and have seen a lot of horrible things happen in my upbringing.

I wouldn’t take it personally, and I wouldn’t judge anyone else for thinking differently. Just one of those ‘different strokes’ issues I think.

YANBU. I can't see the problem if they have a defined boundary, they stay together at all times, they can contact you/vice versa and they're clued up with the procedure needed if approached by anyone - they must never go off with anyone, not just strangers, anyone at all known to them.

You know your own children well enough to make that call. It’s none of her business. I expect her 7 year old is pestering her to be allowed as yours is the same age but that’s not remotely your problem.

Kiss your teeth at her next time she starts

Its none of her business, when I was a child, we lived in a street with a cul de sac, and an island bit in the middle with trees and bushes, rather like a jungle. I was allowed to play out on my own at 5 with the other kids.

can actually still hear the noisy little sods even when they're at the playground
If they're making enough noise that you can hear them at the playground then I can see why your neighbour doesn't think they should be playing outside! Maybe she's too polite to ask you to get your kids to play more quietly?

You know your own children well enough to make that call. It’s none of her business. I expect her 7 year old is pestering her to be allowed as yours is the same age but that’s not remotely your problem.

This exactly.

Where we live which is a nice safe area I didn’t let my DC out until they were 10 as unlike you we had no park. Friends who lived closest to the park on the other side of a very busy road and more independence than mine did from a much younger age. Your NDN is being unreasonable for sticking her nose into and being so opinionated about your parenting decisions.

YANBU. You know them best, they can obviously be trusted. Carry on!