I know there is an old thread about this but just wanted to see if anyone, particularly people with older children, has any more advice.
DD1 is 4 and was recently invited to tea by a girl at her nursery. I only vaguely know the Mum - we've just said 'hello' - she seems nice but as I said I barely know her.
What is the 'norm' for children going to other parent houses on their own? Obviously DD1 has stayed at our friend's houses on her own (as has DD2) as we all 'babysit' for each other. But what if you don't know the family?
I'd like to think I'm not overly protective, and It's not that I'm thinking there are mad paedophiles hanging out in other peoples' houses waiting to pounce but it still makes me a bit nervous. Its more to do with what other parents may think is acceptable.
A friend of mine let her DD aged 6 got to a schoolfriend's house on her own. When she came home she was very excited as she had been to the post office with the schoolfriend (aged 6) and the schoolfriend's sister (aged 7) - at 4.30 on a winter afternoon down several streets and across a very busy main road and back on their own. My friend was very unhappy and has said she won't be going back there.
So am I being irrationally worried and like the rest of parenting (so far) does this all come down to instinct and finger-crossing?