Not to let 11yr old go to local park on her own?

[dramaqueen80]

Just wondering at about what age would you let child go to park on own - to meet friends, hang out (we are in SW - small city)? Some of daughter's friends are allowed to go on own/with friends - and then they go to shops so walking around area. This is for a few hrs. I stay in park somewhere in sight - reading/working. Am not a big fan of kids hanging out in park (CV or no) - would prefer child engaged in more directed activities. She is end primary so will be off to secondary next year. Feels too soon to let them out in public on own - am I being ridiculous? When is ok (I'm feeling never )

My 12 yo can go to the park. However she is very sensible as are her friends.

I wouldn’t want her hanging around the shops like a menace, but luckily she doesn’t want to.

I’d let her go to the cinema or similar if we made a clear plan in advance.

You can’t keep them wrap them up in cotton wool. What will they do when they leave school if they’ve never been anywhere.

Yes I’ve read the pp about drugs. They’d find a way on the way home from school if they were hell bent on it!

@Itisablessing

There seems to be a big disparity about what parents THINK their children are doing in the park versus what they are actually doing the park!

Not many 11/12 years olds I know are keen on playing on the slides and swings, so clearly they are there for other reasons.

I remember going to the park to meet boys. Not sure i would want that for my pre teen dd. I would rather she cut her teeth doing something more wholesome. Our park is nice, but only in the day.

Parks are also great hunting ground for child sexual exploitation offenders looking for youngsters to groom.

Not many 11/12 years olds I know are keen on playing on the slides and swings, so clearly they are there for other reasons.

That's sad for the 11 and 12 year olds you know. Thankfully the ones round here still play. I'm there enough with younger dd and with ddog to see it all with my own eyes. They are still largely hanging out in same sex groups. The boys still play football with the odd girl joining in who likes football too and the girls play on the basket swing, with younger dc, mess about on skateboards or sit in a circle on the grass chatting. DD and a couple of her friends still run around jumping the logs pretending to be horse riding too.

This thread has been triggering for some. I hope no one has been offended, but clearly not everyone has had a great experience in the park. All the best folks.

Itisablessing: I remember going to the park to meet boys
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Me too, doesn't everyone do that?