To ask what age you would let your kids go to the park alone?

[hellofrommetoyou]

Would you let a 7 year old girl and 10 year old boy to go to the park alone? Park is a two minute walk round the corner but cannot be seen from my house. No roads to cross on the way, just a huge big grassy area.

Mine go up to the park on their own (aged 11, 9 and 7). They’ve started going this year since lockdowns started. The 7 year old has to go with either of the two older ones or he will go with his 9 year old cousin. It’s a similar distance to yours and, generally, a very safe area.

I'd actually say the 7 year old is a bit more independent than the 10 year old weirdly. But 10 year old gets bored at the park himself as there aren't really many children in our area which is why he is asking if 7 year old can go with him and she is really up for this and begging me. I'm thinking of giving them my phone, setting a 20 minute timer and telling them to check in and also they know the numbers to call if any problem...although I worry they'll lose my phone 😂. This parenting malarkey is hard work, wish there was a handbook.

2x 10yos yes.
10yo having to be responsible for the 7yo? No.

Just started letting DC go. Age 14. Has to have location switched on and be back on time.

Completely depends on:
The child
The area/park (There is one near me that is a known hangout for drunks, in which case no way!)

When I was growing up, there was a park directly next to our house. As in, our side fence backed onto it and our side gate led into it. That is a completely different scenario to around a corner, too.
Two sensible children at those ages I would say yes, but impress on them that any shenanigans will see an end to it fast! Also I wouldn't expect the elder one to be "in charge" of younger.

Jusg go with them? Either now or when you are finished work (if that's what stopping you going).

10 year old yes.
Both together, probably yes (if the 10 year old is trustworthy)
7 year old on their own - no

I'd set restricted time limits and build up.

No. Would be Age 11+ for me

@Ilovegreentomatoes

No I think 13+ tbh.

Most children are expected to walk to/from school alone at 11!

@catsandchaos

Just started letting DC go. Age 14. Has to have location switched on and be back on time.

14 and you've only just started letting them out of the house alone? And you track them too? Crikey, stand by for a major rebellion coming your way soon. Poor kid.

Depending on how well they get along, probably yes.

Youngest would have to be 10/11 for me to think it ok

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz I was already at the beach park with them this morning for 2+ hours. They're specifically asking to go alone. Hence my question.

Where I live and with my children, yes, because I knew they would play together and we live in a tiny village. But it’s one of those questions that depends entirely on your own circumstances.

14! Blimey, that's just 2 years off legal married age

I know a lot of responses have been about how sensible the 10yo is, but for me a bigger factor is how mature the 7yo is and how likely the 7yo is to listen to their older sibling. Are they going to let the 10yo be "in charge" or are they going to try and make trouble for them?

And I would insist that they stick together at all times!

One question I have is how much have you spoken to your children about safety? Have you talked about what they should do if approached by someone or if someone is making them uncomfortable? Are they aware of the deciet a predator may use to gain their trust?

No around here it seems to be year 5/ 6, which was fine with my youngest two however my eldest was year 8 before he was ready to go out alone. I'd say it depends on individual child and area in which you live (ours is a safe village every one knows everyone). I definitely think 7 is too young.

Yes. Mine are exactly that and they do (and have for the last year). They tell us which bit of the park they’re going to so we know where to amble towards if they’re longer than a couple of hours and it’s strictly stay together.

@Aquamarine1029 yes definitely, have discussed all that with them numerous times, they know about stranger danger etc. It's just difficult as you hope they would react well when faced with a situation but you can't be positive really can you? There has to be an element of trust.

Should say she'll be 8 next month, not that it makes much of a difference but she is nearer 8 than 6.

Yes but if this is the first time surely you can pop out in 15min time and look from a distance, turned up a bit later with ice lollies you thought they might like and then give them a time to be back.

It is not a let them go totally unsupervised or not let them go at all situation - there are hundreds of in-between steps you could take to build up confidence.

Twice recently I’ve been to two different local parks and witnessed kids my sons know swearing at people and basically being horrible. The second time one of my boys was hit (not hard but more than a friendly pat) and when I told the kid to leave him alone I was then given a mouthful of abuse (as the little cowards walked away) from the boy and his mates. So my kids aren’t allowed to parks alone because of the feral youths that seem to live near us.

No to the seven year old. Not sure about the ten year old.

Most kids are at the small local playground alone from about 9