To think that 6yo should not be playing on the street unsupervised?!

[raspberryjuiceandpompoms]

I have this long standing argument with my family who feel that I’m a helicopter parent. Apparently I should let my 6yo DS go play outside on his own in streets of our village as he’s on technology a lot otherwise. Apparently my family members did it and they turned out fine. I always say that it’s a survivor’s mistake and that he will be allowed to go out to play when he’s older (more like 10). But apparently I’m hindering his development and infantilising him. Just had another argument and I’m furious. But thinking maybe I AM wrong? I do tend to be weary of people taking him (for play dates for example, only if I know the parents, no sleepovers yet etc.) He can make himself a sandwich or cereal unsupervised but apparently I worry too much about his safety and that is why he cannot even make himself an omelette (like even why?!?).

6 year olds can play outside with others and in sight of the parents. Mine did for years but one of the families could see them at that age. Not on their own unless practising on a scooter or bike on a path you can see.

In a quiet cul-de-sac where you can see him out the window and know your neighbours maybe but otherwise it's a firm no from me 6 is far to young

Absolutely not. My daughter is 5 and I don't even like leaving her in the garden unsupervised, as we have a side entrance.

@PTSDBarbiegirl@PurpleBugz yes that’s what I think! That’s how the argument started, I said I wish we lived in a cul-de-sac because then he could play and I would see him. But I was told that it’s my problem that ‘I want to see him’ because I want the control

I'm interested in these replies too. I think it's too young, but as pp have said, if you can see them at all times, and it's a safe area, like a cul de sac, that's probably OK. But generally, no. I let my 8 year old play outside in a safe area with her friends, but she was under strict instructions not to go out of sight of the house.

Absolutely not, far too young to be outside in street playing at 6yrs old . With children his own age they still need supervising. With older children who knows what they could involve him in.
As for making an omelette how ridiculous. He's doing great making himself a sandwich.
Go with your gut you're his Mum not them.

It’s a no from me. DS was not allowed out (as in out of sight of me or a friend’s parent) until he was ten. We were lucky as his friend lives at the other side of a big green which can be seen from both houses so when he was younger we could both keep an eye on them.

I think it massively depends on what area you live in, what street you live on (busy Vs quiet cul-de-sac) and what other kids would be with the child.

Absolutely not would I let a 6 year old out by themselves. Even if I could see them because it only takes a few seconds for someone to grab them whilst you’re inside watching.

What do you mean by he's on technology a lot?

He's only six...he shouldn't be on technology a lot. There is a middle ground between that and being out on the street alone. He should be playing at home and taken to the park to play outside with an adult supervising.

Why is it either or? My almost 6 yr old would be on devices a lot if I didn't take him out, so I take him out. Take him to the park, softplay, local walks, trips on the bus if you don't drive. Playing out isn't safe but sat inside regularly on devices all day isn't ideal either.

My son has both a tablet and a switch so I'm not anti screen time either but I am anti doing nothing most days. It's miserable, mine both have flu right now so we've barely been out and I'm losing my mind between sick kids and cabin fever.

You know your own child and you know the area, so it's entirely your choice.

If he needs more exercise, can you not go out and play with him?

I was lucky when mine were little because there were quite a few kids who lived in the street, and parents would take it in turns to sit outside and watch them.

@Comedycook he’s allowed 2.5 hours of technology a day. I take him to play outside at least twice a day (he’s also got a baby sister, so he’s watching TV or playing switch when I’m putting her down for a nap for example). Problem is he’s rubbish at playing on his own and would winge and moan for ages to let him play longer. Very very occasionally he would pick up his action men or do some colouring. He does play with his sister and has play dates a few times a week.

That sounds pretty standard then...ignore them

He whingea and moans to let him play longer? Where with his toys or outside?

@Cmonluv oh I’m all up for that! I tend to take him places too. We just have my family staying for a week with us and it’s been quite challenging. They want to talk, he wants to play, his sister wants to play… the said family members are not ready to get out until 11am, DH is sulking… hell… haha

Mines a bit like this too and has a 2 hour limit, building Lego has worked great for him and more recently he'll draw or use modelling clay. I think maybe you need to work on settling him to non screen based activities. All kids are different though, my 2.5 yr old daughter wills et herself up a tea party, set up a school for her cuddly toys, amuse herself with some crayons and paper for a good hour or 2. My son does really need to be outside to burn energy. 2.5 hours isn't always on screens though so sounds like you're being guilted unnecessarily

Does he not have lego? Train sets? Puzzles? Cars, books, play food, teddies etc? Can't see why he can entertain himself tbh

Or does he not like to play with toys and prefers a tablet?

Exactly this.

I don’t allow my eight year old to play outside unattended. But my ten year old does.
it shocks me to see my eight year olds class mates alone of the street as they live several streets away. There’s no way their parents can say where they are at any given time.

Does 'technology' include TV? If it doesn't 2.5 hours is way too much.

He should be outside playing, at least 1 - 2 hours a day, however you facilitate that.

If you live on a busy urban street, then, no, you can't allow him out the door unsupervised & will need to build in park / playground time every day.

If you are in a housing estate with low levels of traffic, I would be happy for him to be out, with you checking as needed.

Depends where you live . Both my kids played outside in all the houses we lived (married quarters ) . It was quite safe and they had loads of friends they used to play with too . The sound of loads of kids playing outside was common , just the way it was . I imagine quarters are just the same nowadays as they were a couple of decades ago .

@00100001 he has all the toys in the world. Legos, hot wheels, train sets,gravitatrax, puzzles, books etc. he will only play all these toys if I/DH was was playing with him. He also has a garden with trampoline and football goal and again… he only plays when someone else is playing… occasionally he would get tired of moaning and settle for something but he’s incredibly stubborn

He is on tech too much for his age. Especially during school days. I would let him out on our street if others are there too but not passed our street. Even in the 70s we didn't roam until we were about 7 or 8.

@EarringsandLipstick yes TV is also technology so it includes that. He’s outside for longer than 2 hours a day usually