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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be pleased children are no longer out from dawn until dusk unsupervised

190 replies

rosediamond · 21/07/2019 09:58

I know some people claim they had a brilliant childhood roaming free but I think for the majority of children growing up prior to the late 90s (maybe?) they were pretty dark times.

I’m pleased that children playing without supervision is rare now.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 21/07/2019 09:59

I think it’s a sad state of affairs that kids can’t go to the local play park with their friends unsupervised

Maybe83 · 21/07/2019 10:00

No they weren't dark times for me.

HulksPurplePanties · 21/07/2019 10:00

Dark how? My friends and I had a brilliant time roaming the woods and building forts, swimming in brooks, etc.

Original poster
rosediamond · 21/07/2019 10:01

Dark times for the kids who didn’t make it.

OP posts:
AdelaideK · 21/07/2019 10:01

Why were they pretty dark times? I had a great time.

Also I don't think it's that rare for children to play out. I still see lots of them on their bikes or walking in little groups.

Pinktinker · 21/07/2019 10:02

Children today have new dangers: the internet and social media. It’s easier than ever to be targeted by paedophiles.

Maybe83 · 21/07/2019 10:03

Well that's very dramatic and the use of majority totally inappropriate.

Magmatic80 · 21/07/2019 10:03

‘Majority’ is probably pushing it.

HulksPurplePanties · 21/07/2019 10:03

Dark times for the kids who didn’t make it.

Yes I suppose death does put a damper on a happy childhood. But bad things have always happened. It hasn't stopped just because children are more supervised.

Cerseilannisterinthesnow · 21/07/2019 10:04

I loved being out from morning till night, there was about 8 of us in my village we would go bike rides, swimming in the river, to the park etc best times ever really. My children are allowed out unsupervised also

ChocolateMonsta · 21/07/2019 10:04

They play out unsupervised where my sister lives. No children play out at all where I live, I actually feel sorry for my children not getting that experience. I use to love playing out when I was young.

Siameasy · 21/07/2019 10:04

The kids who didn’t make it?
You’re probably more likely to be killed by a family member or someone you know than a stranger so that’s a bit dramatic
I do worry about cars/traffic though

Whitney168 · 21/07/2019 10:04

Fantastic childhood for me, barely ever indoors, out with friends whenever the weather allowed (and often when it didn't really) - nothing dark about it!

Far more tragic that some kids spend their lives sat on the sofa behind IT these days.

MontStMichel · 21/07/2019 10:04

“Dark times”?

No, we had a wonderful time, going off on our bikes to the woods all day!

ACatNamedDoris · 21/07/2019 10:06

Bit dramatic. Yes, children then probably had more risk of drowning or breaking their leg or neck. Nowadays they've more risk of suffering obesity related illnesses due to sitting on their arses eating shit. Swings and roundabouts.

plasterboots · 21/07/2019 10:06

I think danger is still their for children, most children are hurt, killed by the people they know.

A local lad aged 14 committed suicide very recently, bullied by people he knew well and social media played a strong party in that!

So dangers change not disappear.

AwkwardSquad · 21/07/2019 10:06

Goodness me, a little over-dramatic, I think. You can’t take all the risk out of life, and generally the evidence seems to be indicating that the restrictions these days are not serving young people in the long run.

BlingLoving · 21/07/2019 10:07

All those children who didn't make it? What are you talking about? I mean, sire, accidents happened but they still happen. Not clear what you mean.

I want d's and dd to be independent and self sufficient. There is some risk in that which terrifies me. But, there's more risk in it giving them those skills.

redexpat · 21/07/2019 10:07

Well if people, mostly men, would stop murdering that would be a much better solution dont you think.

NoBaggyPants · 21/07/2019 10:07

Well it's always going to be pretty dark if you've been murdered, I doubt anyone will dispute that.

But there are far more risks to young people now than when most of us were growing up, and grooming and abuse is done in far more sophisticated/ less easy to spot ways.

Fakenametodayhey · 21/07/2019 10:08

I am on OPs side. It is a shame that you can't let kids out anymore but with the amount of cars on the roads I just wouldn't feel safe.

We live in a pretty dodgy area though so its a no from me.

user87382294757 · 21/07/2019 10:08

Oh, I'm not sure. We played out at the beach and on cliffs..I guess it was quite dangerous looking back but think there were also some benefits - thinks seem different now but we live in a different place (city) roads etc, much faster traffic. I'm not sure about 'dark times' though

Mintjulia · 21/07/2019 10:08

They weren’t dark times for me either. Semi-rural village, big crowd of kids. Not much money but loads of space. Lots of fun.

Yes there have been some tragic instances - crimes & accidents over the years - but that doesn’t change the fact that most people had a lot of freedom..

I’m doing my best to see my son still has that.

TeachesOfPeaches · 21/07/2019 10:08

I think social media is probably the biggest danger to young people now rather than playing in the park unsupervised.

Plantthatspider · 21/07/2019 10:10

I enjoyed my unsupervised childhood. Taught me lots of things that I think are a bit lacking in some kids today.