Playing out on own

[mummymummy1]

Hi, DD turned 8 a couple of months ago We live in a cul de sac of 20 houses and have a little grass area that all the children play on.
Until now I or OH have always gone out with her but a couple of the other children started playing out on their own last year. One was 8 and the other 9. Nine year old's lives opposite the grass area so parents can see them, 8 year olds are like us and can't really see it but did what we plan to do and popped out every so often to check.
I know when I pick her up from after school club this evening she is going to ask to play out and I will probably get asked can I play out on my own.
Would you let your child of 8 play out on their own in a quite cul de sac where nearly every one knows everyone? I've had a bit of chat with DD about people she doesn't know talking to her etc, etc but now I'm not sure if she still to young. A friend from school is moving near us over the summer and I know she will want me to invite her round and then probably want to play out with her.

It depends entirely on your child and the area you live in.

Based on what you've said, the area sounds fine. If your DD is sensible and will follow the rules you lay down then it sounds ok to me.

There is always a risk of something happening, but that's true forever and you can't keep them inside until they're 40! If you deem any risk to be very low then I'd go for it. Don't listen to the people who say 'oh but what if she's abducted by aliens/the green suddenly bursts into flames/a war breaks out/a plane lands on them' etc. The risk will never, ever be zero. You just have to make sure it's as low as possible.

In our old house also a quiet cul de sac with a green in middle, my boys aged 9&7 used to play out with a couple of the other kids and I used to leave the front door open and pop out every 10 mins. We moved in September and there is a green in the close opposite and they've discovered loads of their school friends live on that close so they play over there. I can't leave the door open anymore as my toddler would escape but I can see from the upstairs window so I look out/call over to check they are ok, to be honest they are in and out for drinks/toilet a lot anyway!!