Going out alone

[liann33]

my 8 year old's friend called at our house yesterday to ask my son to go round to his and play which is a five minute walk away. It's the first time I have let my son go out without me and I worried for the half hour he was gone! I walked round to pick him up after half hour and they were playing happily. Of course today he wanted to go over again and I let him walk around by himself. He loved it and I want him to gain some independence, but is he too young? We live in a quiet area and he is very sensible. we've discussed all the dangers and only go to his friend's house or the green adjacent to play football.

Advice appreciated.
Thank you.

8 is a perfect age- especially when his friend lives so nearby! Lucky.

I'd have a rule that they're not allowed to go anywhere else without you knowing and if one of them has to come home then the other one does too.

It's hard to let them go but it is 100% the best thing for them. Hope he has a great summer playing out!

thank you for your response. I feel the time is right for him to do it but worried as I read a thread on FB saying a good age is 10/11!!

The only problem now is trying to explain to my 5 year old why he isn't allowed to go too!

I’d say this is a good age too. Just make it clear to him that if his friend isn’t home or wants to go anywhere other than the playing field, he’s to come straight home and tell you.

Has he got a watch too so that he can come home on time?

Another friend of mine has bought walkie-talkies for her DS who is a similar age.

It's so hard to give them that bit of independence but they love it and most kids thrive I've found.

My 10 yr old wanted to walk out and get his dad a coffee today. I ended up going with him luckily as the coffee shop closest to us was closed so I walked with him to costa but he went in and ordered by himself then we walked part way back I split so i could go to the supermarket and he walked home with the coffee. He was so proud of himself.

Bless him, they really do love a bit of independence.

He has put his watch on so knows when he needs to be back; luckily his friend's dad text me to say he had arrived this morning so we've got a text communication going which makes me feel a bit easier.

Sounds perfect OP