Is 8 too young

[JerkintheMerkin]

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?

We have a gate into a playground from our garden, I still went out and watched mine until they were about 10. Occasionally they went out with their sibling (5 years older) when a bit younger than that.

8 is the age that my DC learned to make a cup of tea, went to the corner shop to get something and for their swimming lessons expect children to use the appropriate changing room rather than the family changing area. If it’s literally round the corner, I’d let them go but go to meet them after 15 minutes or so.

Mine are 9 and 7 and not a chance. They aren’t sensible types mind you.

I can't believe people think it's OK for an 8 year old to be out alone. No way here.
Age 10/11 - Easter of year 6 for us.

I wouldn't like the fact that she was completely alone.
One of the kids at my dc's school fell off some play equipment and broke his legs really badly. He was in a wheelchair for months then used a zimmer frame. I know that's extreme but what if she fell and banged her head or broke an ankle and no one was there to get help?

Entirely depends on the situation. The park is round the corner, but what's the area like? How often was he checking? Could he hear her from the house? Has he (or have you) discussed with her what to do in various situations?

My DD is 5 and goes to the playground next to my house on her own, so I don't think 8 is too young to be slightly further away. But, I live in a tiny, quiet village, so even if I can't see DD in the park, I can either hear her, or I can hear that a car has come past or someone has walked/cycled past, and I know to check on her.

At 8 I would be less concerned, but I would also have had a lot of conversations about stranger danger and about what to do if you fall and hurt yourself, and so on.

At 8 my DS was still a bit hit and miss whether he'd look before crossing the road so on that basis alone I wouldn't have let him ( in fact I still wouldn't let him at 10 but there is a very busy road involved). Once in the park I was fine with him doing his own thing while I chased his sister round but wouldn't leave the park.