If your daughter, age 7, had been invited 'round to a friend's house for the afternoon

[earlgrey]

Would it bother you that the mum let her and her classmate go to the park on their own? For now, apart from school and with her dad, my dds never been out of my sight. Do you think I'm being overly protective, or do you think I should stick to my instincts?

Thanks for all your replies. I think the thing to do is invite the (lovely) child round here instead.

NO, NO, NO. NO, WRONG!!!!!! We live in sleepy town but I NEVER EVER let my 7 year old out alone, always with one of the older ones. Way, way, way out of order!

The parents should have asked your permission. Very wrong of them to let the children go without you knowing about it.

But it's a sad world when 7yos can't play out on their own.