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.

Depends a lot on the children - my initial reaction is no, but if the 10 year old is very mature, responsible and able to deal with any older children being difficult then maybe.

14
I’m genuinely shocked at this. My DDs were getting the train into London at 11, after starting secondary school. Bit of a mooch around shops, McDonald’s, home. Kept in touch by text.

I take it he won’t be going to the Reading festival in two years

@catsandchaos

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

I really hope you're not serious.

My 8 year old has been going out with friends since he was 8. Small town with low crime.

Since he was 7*

If you wouldn’t leave them alone in the house why would you leave them alone in the street? You have to think about emergency situations that could arise and if they could handle, keep calm and tell you/deal with it. I personally wouldn’t but I wouldn’t judge you for doing it, they’re your children and you know best at the end of the day.

Secondary school age

School year 6. With friends at all times

Umm I would probably the 10 year old if sensible enough and as you described your area and how far you are. (I probably give them an non smart old phone though so they could call...knowing me) but not the 7 year old I don't think, I would have to wait a bit longer. Saying that, I did it all the time at 7 with my older sisters, in fact I was alot younger than 7. Everyone did it then. I hate my kids won't have the freedom I did.

Depends on the time of day and how the park is used as well as area and the children. Ours is always busy with a very mixed clientèle, there is very little of the park that isn't totally visible to others so in this case I'd be fine with it during full daylight hours.

Definitely. My 7 yo often goes much further than that. She knows her way round the area though and visits friends etc. You have to trust them sometime!

Year 6, wouldn’t expect the eldest to have to supervise either as not their job or responsibility.

No the 7 year old is too young and 10 year old is too small to take that responsibility.

If I was you I would not be able to relax until they got back home safe.

Similar ages

10.5 year old - I’m happy to go to park alone. Lovely very child friendly area

My younger one at 8? I am happy for my son to walk back with her (2 min walk and no roads) if I’ve walked with them to the park and then I want to go home but they want to stay. But 20 mins maximum
And I don’t relax until home!

Mine are exactly the same age and sex. I would.
My son will be walking home from secondary school come September.
And my daughter is a sensible 7.
Now I'm questioning if I'm too lax, given that most people are saying no 🤔

Yes l did. They had to stay together and come home when l said

7, make sure you come home when the street lights come on

end of year 5 (so 10) unless exceptionally imature. Year 6 for public transport/shops alone. Full disclosure I left a yr 6 10 year old and a year 3 8 year old home alone for an hour after school 1 night a week, also left them for 45 minites one morning a month (job was just for a year and had a PITA commute)

No. They're not old enough to get out of tricky situations (with creepy adults) on their own.

@C152

No. They're not old enough to get out of tricky situations (with creepy adults) on their own.

I just don't know about this. I would think a 10yo and 7yo could handle stranger danger at a park round the corner. I think one would have to be explicit about rules: stay in the main park with other people, stick together, home at X time, don't go off with strangers, etc.

But the scenario I imagine is creepy adult comes up to them and asks them to come with them, they say no. If creepy adult continues, they are instructed to either scream and kick up a fuss that a stranger is trying to abduct them or find an adult with young children and ask them to escort them home.

I might be totally in the wrong ballpark here as I don't have children of that age myself, but I'm not seeing a huge problem here.

I concur with PPs that I'd be happier with a busy park than a quiet one, though.

Where I live you wouldn’t let them at all.

No. 7 is way too young imo. I'd say 9 at the earliest especially as you can't see them.

It makes me sad that so many children can't go out and play safely close to home.

I'd let my son go alone at 7 if he was a sensible 7 year old. Nice area and park very nearby (literally 2 mins) and we'd have lots of conversations beforehand about strangers etc. It's an individual thing imo. I don't know your neighbourhood.