Would you let your 11 yr old out for their daily exercise alone?

[Teacher12345]

8ish so not too busy and it is still warm. Would you trust them to socially distance? Would you let them go with you?

No I would not! But maybe you live somewhere very, very empty.

Of course. My son goes for a cycle on his own. Why wouldn't you?

8pm? It depends on the child. Are they just going to walk around the block? My 13 and 10 year olds go together each early evening to walk the dog around the block, I’m not sure I’d like the youngest to go alone.

11 is fine, they’ll enjoy the freedom and if anything kids are more black and white about the lockdown rules a lot of the time so more likely to follow them

Yes I have- ours is a quiet estate and they only go for a walk around the houses. They have only done it twice each.

My 10yo walks the dog alone. Also has cycled alone from his dads house to my house.
Do you mean at 8pm?
Would I let them go with me? Yes of course.

Yes my DC at a similar age takes the dog for a walk once a day. She is used to getting a bus to school, so a walk on her own maintains a level of independence and confidence.

Not my child. Neighbours son. I passed him twice out for my run on his own. He was following rules but DH was surprised to hear he was let out. I'm not so sure. Our eldest is only 7 so cannot say how sensible he would be at 11.

Yes, absolutely.

In daylight, nearby, yes definitely.

Most 11 yr olds would travel to school by themselves.

When I go out myself I'll regularly having to cross the road when people are coming the other way (no space on the pavement to distance at all) and I wouldn't like ds to have to be making decisions about this and crossing multiple times.
I live in a city so might think differently elsewhere.

On balance, no. Not alone.

I suggested on the phone that my 12 yo (a fairly 'young' 12) come down and join me on the allotment the other day, and he walked over (about 20 minutes, into the village). I didn't have any qualms at all. He's sensible, more or less safe and knows not to touch things or get close to people. He's been getting on the bus for school since September.

In the day time maybe but not at 8pm.

Both my dc have felt the need to put their hands on lampposts while our for walks and railings and benches seem tempting to them too. Without me going "don't touch your face!" they would certainly do that too.
Under normal circumstances he travels to and from school, to friends' houses and to local shops. These aren't normal times.

8pms a bit late I think but earlier, yes wouldn’t be a problem to my mind assuming I knew they would be sensible.

My 12yr old goes out cycling/walking/running alone but we live here (see pictures) so pretty easy to socially distance.

Depending on the family and house sizes I think an 11 year old might really need a bit of head space and alone time during this. I know a few who walk dogs.

Doesn't he/she walk themselves to school or anything usually? Is it just the going out alone you're uncertain about or the social distancing?

Mine has been walking then getting the bus to and from school alone since 10 yo. Very important for them to learn to be confident doing this just before secondary age.

If it's the social distancing you're worried about, that is going to be based entirely on your own circumstances and not that of every other 11yo. Some are more mature than others. Some live in very busy areas whereas others live in the middle of nowhere.

I think it may depend on your area but yes I would.

For context we are semi rural. It was a little quiet out has been pretty busy here some days.

Yes, but 8 would be too late. Think I'd want them back home before 6.

Just realised the title says with - it should say without you.

Yep, but we live in the middle of no where and my DS can walk for ages without seeing a soul.

I would I never had 11 year old idiots