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Original poster

Is 8 too young

32 replies

JerkintheMerkin · 02/07/2022 21:26

To go to the park alone? My DD just mentioned that she did this while visiting her dad. I am absolutely livid and sent him a strongly worded email. I know I'll get back some smart remark and attempts to minimise but I don't think I am overreacting. I'm surprised at the lack of common sense given the world we live in today. What say you?

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Thinkbiglittleone · 02/07/2022 21:29

Just for starters

How far away was the park?
How did she get there ? W
Who did she go with ?

Original poster
JerkintheMerkin · 02/07/2022 21:31

@Thinkbiglittleone the park is around the corner from the house and she walked there alone. You cannot see the park at all from the house though.

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mrsfoof · 02/07/2022 21:32

It depends. Mine did but we live in a small village with a park across the (very quiet) road.
If the park near a main road, far from the house or frequented by drug dealers / unpleasant yoofs then of course not.

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Forgetaboutme · 02/07/2022 21:34

Hmm for me it depends. If she was meeting friends there and it's only around the corner I don't think it's so bad. If she went alone and was there alone I wouldn't be happy. It also depends where you live. Where I live it's very normal for kids to be at the park without parents from 7 or 8 but there's no roads or anything around it. Saying that, I've only just started letting my 9 year old go to the park with friends but that's because we are about a ten minute walk away from it.

Thinkbiglittleone · 02/07/2022 21:37

Does she walk to school on her own or is she used to anything like that?

I don't think I would like her walking alone, if she was with a group of friends, in a quietish area, I don't think I would mind so much if it was just around the corner with her friends. But then I would probably still have a little spy.

Although I have to say, our DS is not at that age and I feel I may be over protective anyway, or unaware of what kids do now at that age.

What had been your ex's response

Luredbyapomegranate · 02/07/2022 21:37

It depends on what the area is, how far it was

Eight is the sort of age kids should be beginning to do things alone

So I’d make it a discussion with him, rather than accuse him of whatever. You should be in agreement on boundaries like this, but he does have an equal say to you.

Jalepenojello · 02/07/2022 21:38

Literally around the corner from the house in an area she knows? It depends. If the park is safe then I would be fine with it.

my local park is full of broken glass so….

Steelesauce · 02/07/2022 21:40

I don't see the issue with it at 8 at all.

BiscoffSundae · 02/07/2022 21:48

Wouldn’t allow my kids to do this as we live in London and the park is across 2 roads, so depends on the area, also 8 year olds do not walk to school at my kids school!

Original poster
JerkintheMerkin · 02/07/2022 21:48

@Thinkbiglittleone she said the park was empty the whole time she was there. His response was surprisingly ok. I don't want or need an argument with him and he said he was going to ask/mention it to me. I have don't know where the park is or it's actual proximity to the house.

OP posts:
MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 02/07/2022 21:48

I think a walk like the one you describe at 8 is fine.
Jeez, when I think what I was doing at 8!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 02/07/2022 21:51

I wouldn't let my dd but the park is surrounded by woods so anything could happen

BertieBotts · 02/07/2022 21:52

It seems fine Confused

kitcat15 · 02/07/2022 21:54

All my 3 played out at 7 years…..on our back field

Evanna13 · 02/07/2022 21:54

Absolutely too young

Tranquilsea · 02/07/2022 21:57

I wouldn't want an 8 year old out on their own. Maybe 10, with friends.

PinkSyCo · 02/07/2022 22:01

I would allow an 8 year old to go to the park with a friend but probably not alone. However her dad has as much right as you to decide what is and isn’t right for his daughter doesn’t he?

Restawhile · 02/07/2022 22:07

I am so shocked nearly everyone thinks it's okay. I couldn't have done this at 8, I had issues ( did not like it) when DD wanted to go to the park with friends in year 6 at 10/11. She did do this but not alone.

TeaandaBook · 02/07/2022 22:10

8 is absolutely too young in my opinion. I wouldn’t let my DD (who is 8) play out at that age without adult supervision.

Heaven forbid, if something happened to them surely it would be neglect having a child that young out on her own? YANBU.

BiscoffSundae · 02/07/2022 22:16

Restawhile · 02/07/2022 22:07

I am so shocked nearly everyone thinks it's okay. I couldn't have done this at 8, I had issues ( did not like it) when DD wanted to go to the park with friends in year 6 at 10/11. She did do this but not alone.

I’m also surprised so many think it’s ok.

OneEyedPenguin · 02/07/2022 22:18

8 is too young. What could she have done if older children/ teens decided to pick on her (or worse!)?

Original poster
JerkintheMerkin · 02/07/2022 23:12

@OneEyedPenguin it was that scenario and more that ran through my brain.

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RisingSunn · 02/07/2022 23:16

Too young.

CountFosco · 02/07/2022 23:19

I think so

Xmasbaby11 · 02/07/2022 23:21

Too young. My dd are 8 and 10. The age it starts around here is 10-11.

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