How far away do you let your 3 yr old go in a park?

[lecce]

I may be being neurotic here but have had a disagreement with dh and want to hear others' views.

In the park ds1 (3.9) zoomed off ahead of us on his balance bike. I told dh to run after him (I was pushing ds2 on a trike and couldn't run) but he refused, saying there was no need. Ds1 had gone so far that we couldn't see him and shouting was pointless, he was too far away and travelling too fast.

He had gone straight to the playground and was there when we got there (about 2 minutes later) playing. I am unhappy about it on two counts:

1. The park is safe but if he starts zooming off near roads that is clearly dangerous. He has always been a cautious child physically and never runs off and, when riding the bike on pavements, always stops when told. However, if he starts going off when one of us is alone with him and ds2, we can't be sure of what he could do.

1. I don't think he should run into playgrounds without us there. This is the point that dh really thinks I am being mad about, but it just seems dangerous to me.

I would love to hear how much freedom other people give their dc of similar ages.

Thanks.

No 2 minutes is far too long. I let my 3 year old run ahead, both on safe roads and in the park. But I'm never more than say 15 seconds away from her. I would never let her run so far ahead that I couldn't see her. In fact I won't let my 7 year old run so far ahead I can't see her either.

DS is 3, I tell him he can't go so far that he can't see me. I wouldn't have him out of sight.

Always within sight. If DS (3.8) is going too far ahead I shout "(DS), STOP!" and he nearly always does.

DS has a balance bike and is pretty speedy on it, but these rules always apply. I think it's even more important on the bike as you need to make sure they're not approaching any dangerous obstacles, or zooming around annoying other people.

Well my DD1 (3.5) was in a part of a playpark (in a zoo) out of sight from me whilst i was watching my 2YO. However she knows where i am and knows the park and i think it is safe enough to take the risk. When we are at the gym she zooms off to the loo herself (and has done since aged just 3 and is fine). Again however, i assess the situation and her competence/sensibility.

However, only you know your DS, his knowledge of the place and the 'safety' of the place. No one rule fits all IMO

DS2 who is 3.9 is cycling pretty fast without stabilisers now...and so I have started taking my bike to park as I can't keep up! I am pretty relaxed but would want him within "shouting range".

My dd3 is 3y 1mo and also has a balance bike.

I allow her to go on ahead (another speed demon ...!) but she is not allowed out of sight.

Like others have said, if she can't see us, then she's gone too far. She's pretty good at sticking to this rule.

I'm with you OP, I wouldn't have been happy

I let my 5 year old get the bus to his grnnies a few blocks away - u girls know u shudnt wrap them in cotton wool, or they become sissys - need to learn the ways of the world if they wanna survive

Bet he can't wait to get away from you, BIATCH!

I wouldn't want a 3 yr old going out of sight, nor would I want one getting in to a habit of zooming ahead (in case they took it into their head to do so in other places, as I do not think a 3 yr old could be expected to assess potential dangers sufficiently). Being within yelling distance is also a good rule of thumb.

Oh motherof10 I've heard about you

Within sight and sound is good.

DD runs quite far ahead of me at the park, and I wouldn't have a problem with her going in ahead of me, but it's all enclosed and the path is in a straight line so I can see her all the time. When she rides her bike, I like to be closer, she's not the greatest cyclist yet!

So same as the others, as long as I can see her I'm fine.

motherof10 has got a mate then

Sorry misread squashimodos post