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Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

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Original poster

When is a child old enough to answer the front door?

55 replies

PeachesMcLean · 04/04/2008 21:06

DS is 6 and is perfectly capable of opening the front door. I've often told him to go and open it, if I'm busy and then I'm not far behind him to see who it is.

We've had a fairly nasty incident recently with a neighbour and we don't want DS to answer the door anymore. I don't want to say "don't answer the door cos it might be the crazy woman again" because that surely is going to give him ideas and make him nervous. But we're having to go back on behaviour he's already got used to, and somehow we have to do that without making him aware that it's because of the crazy woman. IYSWIM.

Now, DH says that he wasn't allowed to open the door at all as a child. Doesn't say how old he was when he was allowed to, but clearly thinks we've done the wrong thing allowing DS to do it at all.

So, how old does a child have to be before you're happy to let him / her answer the front door?

OP posts:

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Set a reminder

roisin · 04/04/2008 21:33

My ds1&2 (8 and 10) have been opening the door regularly for a few years, because it's often their mates calling round!

Dh is a minister of religion and has more than his fair share of (mostly harmless) nutters, who call round from time to time. The boys know not to let anyone over the threshold without checking with us first, and we've never had any problems.

LaComtesse · 04/04/2008 21:34

No the axe murderers roam my house at night when I can't sleep.

SlightlyMadSweet · 04/04/2008 21:35

DTDs can go to the door. In fact I wish I could stop them pounding to teh door as soon as hte doorbell rings...anyone would think it is the only chance they get to glimpse the outside world .

We have glass panels in the door and you can see who is there thru the bay window inthe lounge. I appreciate that not everyone has that luxury.

They know that they are only allowed to open the door if it is someone they know well or are expecting.

Otherwise they shout me and say "it is a man/or lady"

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SlightlyMadSweet · 04/04/2008 21:35

RubyRioja · 04/04/2008 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

PeachesMcLean · 04/04/2008 21:36

Baseball bat wielding maniac on our street sadly.

OP posts:

LyraSilvertongue · 04/04/2008 21:36

DS1 is 5.5 and he answers the door. I've drummed into him that he must always ask who it is first and if he doesn't know them he doesn't open the door. Even when it's obviously me or DP at the door, he still asks.

seeker · 04/04/2008 21:36

Do axe murderers ring the doorbell?

LaComtesse · 04/04/2008 21:37

They're polite axe murderers.

RubyRioja · 04/04/2008 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hoxtonchick · 04/04/2008 21:41

i have to stay awake as the passenger in cars ruby, for the same reason. sadly dp doesn't play by the same rules . still, means i get to play my music when i'm driving...

southeastastra · 04/04/2008 21:42

FunkyGoldStar · 04/04/2008 21:43

me too, Ruby and Hoxton, especially when DH is driving

Original poster

PeachesMcLean · 04/04/2008 21:47

2?! SEA, you're not helping me. you're supposed to be saying at least 12...

OP posts:

RubyRioja · 04/04/2008 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

3andnomore · 04/04/2008 21:59

Must admit...my Kids all seem to love answering door and phone and it does my head in....
because I rather they wouldn't....I mean, could be anyone at the door...and the same with the phone....I remember answering the phone as a youngster (because my mum was out) and some perv being at the other end, and he wasn't just happy to make noises, but also told me he would come and get me....I was severely freaked out...

But as it stands, my Kids, as usual, seem to prefer to ignore me, hohum....

chunkychips · 04/04/2008 23:25

DS (4.9 yrs) doesn't answer it, doesn't want to, runs and hides when anyone knocks?! If we're expecting someone and can see through the window it's them he will sometimes answer, but would probably rather not. Has started answering the phone though and if I know it's my mum calling dd answers (14 months), hello is her only word and me mum likes it. Can you get a temporary bolt for the door so he can't open it for the moment?

seeker · 05/04/2008 07:27

"Could be anyone at the door" - what, like a Jehova's Witness, or the postman....{baffled emoticon}

StealthPolarBear · 05/04/2008 08:33

This thread is making me PMSL
If it helps I think my mum would prefer I didn't answer the door, and I'm almost 29
(and don't live with her )

StealthPolarBear · 05/04/2008 08:33

"DTDs can go to the door. In fact I wish I could stop them pounding to teh door as soon as hte doorbell rings...anyone would think it is the only chance they get to glimpse the outside world "
LOL

SlightlyMadSweet · 05/04/2008 22:17

TY STealth.....worthy of quote of the week then

scanner · 05/04/2008 22:22

Ok ladies you have officially made me see the error of my ways. I've been a fully paid up member of the axe murderer believers club and you've made me realise how crzy that it. Will learn to chill out.

Original poster

PeachesMcLean · 05/04/2008 22:31

I'd rather hoped this thread would make me feel like we weren't doing anything odd, being more cautious about who's at the door.

Last time I turn to you lot for support.

OP posts:

southeastastra · 05/04/2008 22:33

my six year old opens the door all the time, i'm usually not far away. he takes the post in if the postman knocks. it's handy

SmugColditz · 05/04/2008 22:35

Mine is 5 and I don't.

To circumvent door answering, lock it and take the key with you. Then he can't answer the door without coming to you - you quickly give him something interesting to do, and answer it yourself.

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