Would you leave you’re 5year old child outside the front near a busy road?

[Snappedandfarted2018]

Driving back from work today and on a long road into my estate which is often busy. I see a small child sitting on the side of the road head down at about half 5. I pulled over because I felt he was far too young to be left unattended and so close to the road side. He told me he was 5 and waiting for his mams bf to arrive. I asked him where he lived and he showed me with was over the island and across. Mum couldn’t see where he was. I walked him back to his house and he was quite upset and I reassured him he hasn’t done anything wrong but I wanted to make sure he was away from the road side. He walked into the house again mother wasn’t in sight. I have a 5year old myself and there’s no way I would have let her out the front unattended let alone so late. I reported the incident with the correct authorities but is it the norm for 5years old to be playing out on their own.

Good grief no - you are absolutely not being unreasonable. I think you did the right thing checking he was ok and crossing him back over and reporting it.

Thankfully you are clearly a decent person but you could have been anyone and the outcome for the child could have been very different.

My son is almost 5 and there is no way I would let him play/go near a busy road without an adult.

I was absolutely god smacked how small he was and he looked upset head down sat on the edge of the road. Cars in front passed by but I just felt I needed to pull over and check he was ok. I just can’t fathom the mentally that someone would think this was ok especially as it seemed to be a regular occurrence as he said he always sat out there.

I personally wouldn't leave my 5 year old near a busy road by herself. She often waits outside the front door of our house on our drive way on a very small road of 6 houses and that's only while I am getting shoes on etc.

I think 5 year olds can still be unpredictable with their actions and can't count on them not going on the road for whatever reason.

Not sure what I would do in the situation you describe.

Depends on the child.

Thinking about it more I don't think my 5 year old is ever out of my sight whilst out of the house.
Maybe at soft play or somewhere similar or in the woods if I can know their trail but otherwise I like to know where they are so I know they are safe.

I agree I don’t even know how one poster can say it depends on the child. Majority of 5years aren’t aware of stranger danger or road safety. The little boy in question was sat literally by the side of the road, head down nothing to do at half 5. It just doesn’t seem normal behaviour.

My eldest would have been completely fine. My middle one, never in a million years. The jury is still out on the little one!

You did the right thing.

Did you speak to the mum at all ?

No I didn’t, mum was no where to be seen even when the child went to the door to open it and walked in. I felt it was better to report it and give them the address. On the phone they definitely agreed it was a safeguarding issue. It’s not even necessary road safety which was also a concern but you just never know who’s about either.

5 year olds get public buses alone in Germany to go to school. It depends on the child.

No, you’re not - I though from the title you might have at least meant in a front garden near a busy road with parents in the house.

A few years back, my dad very nearly ran over a reception kid who had been left with his 7 y/o sister in charge of getting him off the school bus and back home next to a very busy road. The boy was very shaken, as was the poor sister. He got my Dbro to walk them both home as he was worried he’d lose his temper with the parents.

I wonder if the "depends on the child" posters have really read the OP. We are not talking about whether or not you would let your 5 year old play out, we are talking about whether it's ok for a 5 year old to be sitting alone next to a busy road across the road and away from his home with no adult in sight. The scenario you describe is concerning so well done for intervening and reporting it.