To think DS is far too young to be playing out in the street (sparked by the other thread)

[lilacclaire]

This issue has annoyed me since last summer, I also live in a cul de sac and all the other kids (same age, younger and a year or two older) are allowed to run up and down it.

Now DS who has just turned 4 in Jan screams to be allowed to do the same.

I flatly refuse him to be out of my sight, he isn't street wise like some of these kids and I know if he hurt himself, he would just lie there crying wondering where I was.

I'm sure the neighbours think im being pfb, but I really think he is far too young.

One of the neighbours allows her grandson to run to the very end of the cul de sac (she can't see this from her house) and look out onto a busy road, he is one year younger than my ds and I first noticed this last summer.

The cars also scoot up and down our cul de sac as it is quite long.

Last summer ds hadn't even started nursery, im dreading this summer, the other kids are welcome to play in the garden, but of course they get bored and run back into the street, cue lots of screaming from ds to be allowed out as well.

So am I being pfb, I don't think I am. Opinions please.

Can't you sit on the step in manner of a 70s housewife?

Have no problem doing that Mrs J but we and some of our neighbours have thick hedges which obstruct the view, you would actually need to be out on the street. Plus they go round each others back doors.

I wouldnt let a 4yo play out on a street, no way.

4 is far too young.
It drives me nuts round here when I see how young the los arse that are out. Pre-schoolers have no road sense, even on the quietest of roads.

ARSE???!!!
ARE.

lilacclaire - damned if you do and damned if you don't!!

When I was little (yes, I know, quite some time ago), we lived in a wonderful cul-de-sac and all of us children played outside, we'd run into each others houses for juice and bikkies (often having more than one mid morning pit stop!! ) all the Mums kept and eye on us all and it was truely an idylic way to grow up.

On the other hand, there weren't as many cars as there are these days and there were a lot more Mums at home watching us.

Do what you feel is right this summer.

Too little as yet. Unless he has an older sibling who would take her of him. And only then for short periods.

Yes far too young. I used to live somewhere - newish development really - were some of the kids were very young. It was B4 I had the DC, I nearly reversed over the top of one of them, sat at the side of the kerb!

Now I live in a quiet cul-de-sac, off a main road, which leads to a village. I dont let my DC (aged 5 and 9) play out the front. There is no need.
They can play in our small back garden, or if they want to go out on bikes, I go with them to park or something.

I don't let my 10 yo out in the street, never mind a 4yo. It's not right IMO.

I don't think you are being unreasoanble. We have a similar situation in front of our house (not only a cul de sac but a play area too ). I dread the Summer as my DD, also 4, always wants to join all the other kids out there.

The parents tend to go out with their children but I object because all the mums and dads sit out and talk about everyone else where we live and I can never get back in the house. They never seem to notice 'bad' or 'dangerous' behaviour eg the older kids kick all the plants and run across the road without looking.

There is nothing unreasonable in your behaviour. I reached a compromise last Summer by sometimes going out and sitting with my daughter (and newborn!) but sometimes my DD was told we had to go home (we drive past it all to get to our driveway!). But I would not let her go out alone. I had visions of a child being hurt and then all the 'friends' who sit out there no longer talk to each other.

Perhaps I am a result of my own parenting, I was never allowed to play outside in the street as a kid. I think you are the parent here and it is up to you what you decide to do.

DD was allowed out to play at 4. I rember the first time my Mum phoned and dd was out playing- "can I speak to DGD?", "no - sorry she's not in", "what do you mean she's not in? Where is she?", "she's outside playing", "with who?", "not sure of their names. Will I call you when she comes back in?"

She loves the freedom, she's always in shouting distance, she gets a change to play with other kids.

Kids in the street, eewwww... makes me think of dirty little children whose parents are too busy/lazy to give a shit.

One word...
rough.

Hmmm..nor was I dingledangle. I think I was about 11 before I was allowed out on my own and even then it was to walk the dog!

I think 4 is too young. 6 or 7 maybe.

at 'rough'.

Yep, rough as a badgers undercarriage, me

You don't let a 10 year old out???? Where do you live, Gaza?

'Rough'? . Where are they supposed to play?

DP just said to me children playing in the street at any age is wrong find a flippin garden or park .

Have to say I agree with him.

4 yr old is too young to be out playing unsupervised wherever said child is.

LOL and at Divine...

Rough? Er no, it's called community spirit actually....

There is a difference between parents in the garden watching their dcs play in the street with friends, whom I hope the parents are familiar with, and left to play in the street at a very young age.

I gre up in a cul-de sac, and I remember being out alone all day from the age of 4, all the kids in the cul-de sac were, its strange, perhaps we dont give our own kids enough credit (am not saying they should be let out) as I am sure if I let mine out they would get lost, but I always stayed close to home, though usually out of sight, had no fear, and did'nt get into any danger (well not much)I even remember walking home from school on my own at 5 because my mum was late without any anxiety