Would you let a 4 year old play unsupervised in the garden with water table?

[wishIwasonholiday10]

My husband and I had a disagreement about this. Would you let an almost 4 year old play unsupervised in the garden with a water table and mud kitchen? The garden is fully fenced with no access to the street.

We both agree no unsupervised play with a paddling pool but disagree on the water table.

You have to let them have a small amount of freedom at some point and there really is no more risk in a safe secure garden than there is in a house. I mean there’s nothing to stop your four year old filling the sink and sticking their face in it and drowning themselves when they go to the bathroom really is there so why would they do it in a water table.

That's quite an unusual set up! We live on a housing estate with a side gate that leads onto the street. I'd be sticking my head round the door every once and a while or chatting them from a distance occasionally at least.

Really? What are you worried about? I left mine from about 2.

Yes but with back door open and im in and out. Our house and garden are small so easy to keep an eye and ear out.

Yes I would, do you mean there’s some risk similar to a paddling pool? As I’m not getting what the issue would be.

Yes. They cant fall in that water table they might knock it over but no drowning risk.

Of course!

Yes I think that would be fine. You don't worry about him drowning in the toilet or the wash basin at that age do you?

That's sad. You must never get anything done.

Yes I did and would again. The important thing is to have sight of them / have them in earshot regularly.

No

This. I’m astonished that so many would.

Ever? Why ?

I have a four year old and would let him play by himself in a table like the one you posted. And I nearly drowned when I was a kid, so I’m quite conscious about water danger!

I think that if they fell over, that type of table would likely collapse. Of course I would be in the living room or kitchen where I could keep an eye easily and ear him playing.

Yes I would.

Maybe some parents have to get on with things as well. Like cooking dinner with kid playing in garden where you can see / hear from door of window Or is it better for them to be under your feet with the dangers that a kitchen presents

Absolutely, yes.

Free and unsupervised play in the garden is so good for them!

Of course you keep an eye/ear on them but that's it.

I left mine from two as well!

Yes, of course. But it does depend on the child. Some could get themselves in trouble in an empty padded cell. Some would be fine for hours in a garden full of rakes and secateurs.

Yes as in I would be in the kitchen tidying up/making lunch etc and keeping an eye, or having a coffee sat by the window. I wouldn’t leave them completely out of earshot but also wouldn’t be sat in the garden watching them the whole time

What astonishes you about a parent being nearby while a child plays in their own, enclosed garden?

Some kids seem to live in a seriously overprotected bubble, it’s quite sad.

Yes, the risk seems really low.

Was just going to say I let my 2 nearly 3 Yr old play in the garden while I'm in the house. I'm not far usually in the kitchen and wouldn't go beyond the living room. The patio doors are usually wide open if dc is out. But saying thay on colder days I've shut the doors and all has been fine.

It completely safe imo. There's no machinery or tools left out. The garage door is locked. The bbq and fire pit aren't lit and there are no ponds or deep standing water. The worst that would happen would be a fall or a skinned knee.
Like anything child related do a mental risk assessment, and go from there. Kids will/may injure themselves anywhere- even in doors and whilst being fully supervised. They do need a little independence and the space to explore and learn independently. This is probably why there's so many kids with little to no resilience.

A lot of 4 year olds are in swimming lessons. I was always super conscious around water when mine were that age but I did wonder about my own logic given they could swim. Surely if you can swim a bit you're not going to drown in an inch of water?

How are you envisaging a 4yo would be unsafe with that? We have one and the kids were not consistently supervised with it from about age 3 onwards - obviously we looked out the window to check on them frequently (which we would do anyway regardless of whether there's water around) but it's completely fine from a water safety perspective.