children playing out..wat age wud u say was safe

[BITCAT]

i have 4 children 11, 8, 7 n 4. the 3 eldest play out with friends on the street where we live. but i am being told that i shouldnt. i had a very sheltered life my mother was too protective n controlling n i rebelled against this quite badly..i want my children 2 have a little bit of freedom that i never had. i wud like 2 hear frm any1 that lets there children play out n wat there views r. i just want 2 b sure im not the only 1 who allows there children sum dwn time

My Ds plays out with neighbours boys on their skateboards in the road. He is 10, they are 12 but were in DDs class so I know them well. Obviously we have rules about it, but I like them doing it. It tends to only be skateboarding at the moment.

God, that OP makes my eyes hurt. Is it written in Klingon?

Makes mine hurt too

It might be better if you write your posts in full rather than txt speak - you would probably get more responses too.

sorry bitoffun i do type quite fast, n 4get what i want to say if i dont get it out. im also so used 2 talking in txt speak i 4get 2 write normally sometimes. lol

noted bellavita..its been ages since i was on here. might take a while to get used to it again. i will try hard not to use txt speak.

tis illegal to use textspeak on MN

i agree there always has to be rules. such as letting me know where they going, if going to friends, n knocking the door to let me know when they back. and i have parents numbers to check on them or get hold of them in an emergency.

I think that the older three are old enough to play out if you live on a quiet street, but I would wait until 6+ for the youngest.

I also think rules about coming home for meals etc are good too, as it's annoying for other parents to keep other people's kids fed and watered all day (although the kids never seem to mind!).

Sticking together is a good rule too, I reckon.

All depends on where you live.

We live in a village, but the main street through is really busy with lorries cutting through.

Both DS's were allowed to play out the front (we live in a dead-end to cars) with their friends. DS1 was about 10 when he was allowed to go call on his friends on his own on his bike around the village and DS2 who is now 10 is now allowed to do this. If he goes in someone's house, then he must ring and say that is where he is. I always give a time for DS2 to be home. DS1 is always good and just comes home without me giving instructions - but he is nearly 13 and was/is more sensible than his brother at 10.

and Verity your point is..

• I couldn't agree more!

Thank you for your comments everyone it has put my mind at rest.Now can go tell the nosey parkers to politely go away.

My DS (7.5yrs) and DD (5.5rs) play out. We don't live near their school and I wanted them to make friends with the kids in the area we live too. They play out on their bike / scooter which also means they are active.

We have rules, such as where they can play, telling me if they go into someones house and when they come out again. They both have their own watch and are given a time they have to come in for a snack, lunch etc.

We also keep an eye on them - e.g. I might do house work or ironing in the sitting room so I can check on them though the window.

We live in a dead end cul-de-sac and so it is fairly quiet with few cars moving around, so they are safe.

it is all about knowing your children and boundaries isnt it..my kitchen faces the street so its easy to keep an eye on them when doing washing up or cooking lunch or dinner. And of course i do go out and check on them every 20mins or so unless they are at a friends house.

What?

Eh?

What did the OP say?