to think it is irresponsible to let children of primary school age play out after dark?

[tori32]

I have just nipped out to my shed to get something only to hear children still playing outside. Am I neurotic in thinking that it is irresponsible, not just because of obvious dangers but because I would want to know what they were up to.

happily, parents don't have to adhere to OFSTED rules.

but then i am a mean mummy that puts her 8yo dd to bed at 8 when her mates are still playing outside;)

I don't think children under 7 should (in general) be out and about at 9.30pm. Not because anything terrible is going to happen, but because they should be in bed!

7yo dd has not been in bed before 9.30 any night this summer holiday.

She is playing in the garden with her friends until it gets dark, then coming in and spending some time with me, playing games or watching a film.

No school, so why should she be in bed?

To the OP, YANBU. My dd is only out in the garden, I would never let her play outside of our home after dark. I am just a little about this whole 'they should be in bed' attitude.

I also think they should be in - frankies' approach sounds right to me, play out till it's getting dark then wind down indoors, IF they will lie in and get a decent amount of sleep - but for lots of kids this wouldn't happen, wish someone would tell my ds how to lie in; therefore he wouldn't be out this late, as he needs more sleep than that would allow

It's blummin nice as well for adults to have SOME time in the evening without the annoying noise sweet prattling of children - there's all day for that. Adults deserve some peace as well IMO and I think the dark is a BIG hint that it's grown up time.

agress with honnoria- by tea time, I can't wait for the girls to go to bed so i get some time to myself.

What has the dark got to do with peodophiles?

Holly & Jessica, Sarah Payne, Lesley Ann Downey (I think) where all victims who were taken/attacked during the day.

There seems to be an obsession with paedophiles lurking around every corner. I do let my primary aged ds play out with his friends in the cul de sac until around 7.30pm but then he's in. Paedophiles never enter my head, day or night. I think it would be rather sad to spend your time obsessing about something that is highly unlikely to happen. Ds is aware of stranger danger, although i can see him from the window so keep checking on him. Yes, they are out there but statistics actually show that a child is more likely to be sexually abused by someone in the family/extended family than by a stranger..

Its not even just about danger, as others have said I also think under 8's should be in bed generally speaking bar a party etc. Its good if you have the luxury of being at home with your kids all holiday, however, lots of children do still have to be up to go to childcare in the holidays, where they are kept busy and occupied most of the day. This requires a certain amount of energy and rest at night. If they are up until late they end up stroppy the next day because they are tired, especially if they go to bed late most nights of the holidays.

The point is that it isn't as unlikely as people assume. It happened in Gosport and it was an RAF Wing Commander who had been doing it for years.

I get some time to sort washing, do a spot of ironing and so on, in the evening whilst dd is playing out.

And yes, she is kept busy and occupied during the day too.

The summer holidays are all about a break from routine. It's so nice not to be a sergeant major for these 6 weeks, no homework, not getting a bath every night, and generally being more relaxed.

Agree with Starlight, I do not want rid of dd on an evening as the school holidays are the only time we seem to have where we can relax completely and enjoy ourselves.