5 year olds knocking on door for DD at 8pm

[mrlistersgelfbride]

The door just went and it was one of the kids from the estate asking if DD could come for a bike ride. It was 8pm. This kid is in reception, age 5 but 6 later this year.
I said no, it was too late. Kid has knocked round several times without parents starting from last year (parents are ok with this - I have their number to contact parents if needed) however previously they have knocked in the daytime.
AIBU for thinking it's ridiculous for a 5 year old to be around the streets on their own so late? I find it strange.

Backstory: it's a very laid back estate, lots of young families. Some children play on their own outside with other kids. Often adults are nowhere to be seen . Whenever DD goes out, I'm always with her. It seems like often I'm the only adult around, as I can't and won't leave her. It's very different to where I grew up which was a main road, we weren't allowed to go knocking on doors for friends until late primary school.

Just wondered what others thought.

I also agree that a call to SS might be helpful for the child.

I live ion road where all the kids play out endlessly. There are houses each side and the road is narrow so cars go slowly.

I know the kids are ok and it's lovely to see and hear them having fun.

That said, I keep a close eye on my nine year old and my next door neighbour lets her 5 year old out in short, supervised bursts, which is how I've always been with mine.

I did in the end, went and hammered on their door and woke the grandparents up! I didn't care that by that point it was almost 6.30am! Can't remember exactly what i said but i was quite blunt and tho I didn't raise my voice i made it clear i was furious, and ended conversation by saying id call the police if it happened again, strangely enough it never did happen again so guess they took me seriously by that point, must have been too polite the first time i spoke to them 😂

It's a bit shit but since it's still broad daylight at that time I don't see how it's really that different to 6pm. If there's a big group of them out (as there always is round here) it's not what I'd be doing but it wouldn't concern me much. Not to the point that I'd be thinking about social services anyway! DD was out playing at 5 (though home for dark in winter and 6pm in summer for dinner) and now at 8 she's out past 8pm on weekends and holidays but so are all her friends.

Obviously 5 is still a bit young but I do feel more sorry for children who aren't allowed to roam a little than the ones who are... they learn so much street sense. I remember the difference in high school was stark where you'd have half the group checking bus times / arranging things / telling pervy old men to fuck off and the other half completely clueless without mum and dad there to drop them off and pick them up and hold their hand. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I didn't let mine out to play un supervised at 5. Mine are 11 and 9 now and play outside with the neighbours but I keep an ear out (mainly for 9 year old, 11 year old is year 7 and walks to school etc so less concerned, but do like to know where he is and do). When they were say 5 and 8 I used to sit in a garden chair and watch them, again mainly for the youngest benefit. A 5 year old out unsupervised isn't something I'm OK with with. But my neighbour let's her youngest play out with the others and they are 4 years old. It's a quiet close and just our two families playing, but it just feels wrong to me. But you can only control what yours do.

Oh and 8pm is waaaay to late to knock, let alone a 5 year old!