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?

I don't think perniciousdot has heard of the coronavirus? Pretty obvious what we'd currently be scared of. I don't think not being allowed a wander around on his own at 8pm will make my dc obese, he seems to get on just fine with the cycle ride we took together and the joe wicks we did in the morning.

I don't think perniciousdot has heard of the coronavirus?

Eh? Because I wouldn't let my 11 year old out at 8pm? Sorry I really don't follow?

Is 8pm really that late when it’s still light outside? I don’t know, mine are younger but surely if it’s light it’s not too much of an issue?

My 11 year old normally has a lot of freedom and would be out playing with friends until around 8pm ish at this time of year but we're taking our outside exercise together at the moment as he hasn't expressed any wish to go out alone, although he's very good at keeping his distance when we are out there's just no need at the moment. He'll go and kick his ball around the green behind our house but our gate literally opens on to it and no-one else uses it.

@perniciousdot I'm really sorry, it was the poster you were quoting I meant to refer to - the one who couldn't think what parents were afraid of.

@Watertorture

Ah! Now I understand. Now worries

Is 8pm really that late when it’s still light outside?

Well yes. It's still 8pm regardless.

Well yes, but I don’t understand what particular dangers 8pm brings that 6pm doesn’t?

just do not ask mumsnet. x

Yes, fine to be out on their own at that age, but not at 8pm. DD is going out on her own sometimes for a walk or cycle during the day and understands the social distancing, I have no concerns about that. In the evening I would be more concerned, starting to get dark, more dodgy characters about, fewer families.

Well yes, but I don’t understand what particular dangers 8pm brings that 6pm doesn’t?

Well in the summer it's still light at 10pm. Would you be happy for your 11 year old to be out until then? There has to be a line somewhere and for met isn't sunset.

I don’t have an 11 year old, I have no idea. I just can’t think of any particular dangers there are at 8pm that aren’t there at 6pm. Or 5pm. More than happy to be informed of any, I’m not being an arse, it was a genuine question!

No I wouldn’t. I have an 11 yo.

Where I am sun would set half an hour later, so more chance of being out after it is dark. At 6 there is just more life around, shop still open, people coming and going. From a corona point of view that is worse, but from a general safety stance it's better. Teenagers around us are far more likely to congregate and drink at 8 than at 6.

Great for kids to be independent as long as they are taught the rules on social distancing, which some clearly have not been. Some kids are so careful and polite and others zooming right past you on the pavement on their bikes and scooters, often with their parents watching.

In normal times, my 10 yr old would go out on his own. Given it's still light at 8, I'd say ok. BUT he isnt going anywhere without an adult currently. So in non covid times, id say no problem. In covid times, id be wary, but if they can run much faster than either parent, how are they supposed to maintain fitness?

I am probably influenced by the fact that I live in a large village with so little crime that we don’t even have a policeman.
I take our dog out at around 8pm, at the moment there are usually a few dog walkers out, a couple of families walking etc. Obviously no groups of teens or anything congregating at the moment. It’s no different to any other time of day here.

I've done quite a few runs at 8pm and the daylight is still good for a while. It's quiet so social distancing wouldn't be a great issue. It's a pleasantly dopey neighbourhood, so if it was one of my children age 11, I see no practical reason not to.

My 9yo is sensible and quite risk adverse. I could quite happily trust him to go out for a mile around the block on his own (but maybe not 8pm although he's wide awake for a while yet). The main reason that I don't let him out on his own is that he's small and looks younger so it is more about what other people think (and if they interact with him and upset him: ASD) rather than his own capabilities.