We've just very recently moved house. In the old house, there was no opportunity to 'play out' as we lived on a very busy road. Now we live in a cul de sac on a 'naice' new build estate.
There is a play area less than 1 minute walk from the new house, the key is that I can't see it from our house. DC are 6 & 8 and are what you would describe as 'good kids.' I have been letting them go up to the play area unsupervised but I feel a little nervous about it. Two of my very good friends live in the houses that surround and look at the play area.
Most of the friends they play with there are school friends and I know their parents but a couple are not, and I don't know their parents/where they live. yesterday one of these 'unknown children' turned up at our house with my DC. I sent DS to walk him back to the play area as I wasn't confident that his parents would know where he was.
The rules that I have out in place are as follows: You have to stay together. You must only go to the play area, you mustn't go into anybody's house and you mustn't bring anybody to our house without prior arrangement. not because I don't want anybody else here but because I want to be sure that their parents know where they are.
I think the fact that I can't see the play area is what's making me nervous, although I know that my friends will look out for DC, I don't want to be a CF and rely on them doing so. What would you do? Go up to the play area and meet the other children/parents (seems a bit weird perhaps?) Let them go? Don't let them go? I'm probably making a mountain out of a molehill but I'm usually very relaxed but this situation is making me anxious!