Children playing out unsupervised-contact with EXH

[Wellydumpling]

I have two children, aged (just turned) 6 and 8, who spend EOW with my Ex-husband.

The six year old is easily distracted, very trusting, and has the road sense (despite all my best efforts) of a pheasant.

Is has been transpired that they are being sent out to play completely unsupervised for extended periods of time.

I am so worried by this I am considering stopping contact. It seems like a huge unacceptable risk to me. I have previously broached this with him but have been ignored.

AIBU?

No I wouldn’t be happy about this, even with a ‘sensible’ six year old. It is too young.

Playing out on a cul de sac probably OK, main road not so much.

Six and eight? That is completely bonkers, definitely stop contact.

Thank you- it’s not a main road, but not a cup-de-sac either. They are definitely not staying within ‘sight’ of the house either.

Oh gosh sorry! Culde-sac

You can't stop contact over what is essentially, a parenting dispute.

What if he didn't like a decision you had made and decided he was stopping you from seeing them?

I would, however, get them one of those kiddie phones, and get them to call you when it happens and you can deal with it at the time.

They may well feel unsupervised but he could be keeping a close eye out.

Hmm- I’m not sure it’s a parenting dispute really, so much as a genuine concern for my unsupervised 6 year olds welfare, at what point does it tip over into dangerous? But I do take your point.

He can’t stop contact with me, by court order I am the resident parent.

Aged 6 exp let dd2 play out alone, she got whacked in the head by a sprung see saw and needed plastic surgery under general anaesthetic and is scarred for life in the middle of her forehead. Lucky it wasn't a whole lot worse. He also went out and left her in the bath with her 9 year old sister and autistic step son 'looking after her'. No one seemed interested and unsupervised contact proceeded. I doubt just letting them out would register and would, just as a pp said, be seen as parenting differences for you to work out.

That’s awful @liveforsummer I’m sorry.

The six year old cannot accurately judge speed and distance.

RoSPA publish a guide for parents.
Your ex has to understand and acknowledge your concerns. And then he has to address them.

Really depends on the the area and if other kids are playing out too