Unsupervised playing

[TooManyAnimals94]

www.theguardian.com/society/2021/apr/20/gradual-lockdown-of-uk-children-as-age-for-solo-outdoor-play-rises?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1618898791

Just read this article and found it sad, but not surprising. I never see unsupervised children out under the age of about 12 or 13. Does anyone still encourage their children to go out building dens, fishing and just generally faffing about?

DD is 9. There is a rarely used wood behind the house, I am considering letting her go there alone in the next year or so. If she had a similar aged sibling to go with I would probably have allowed it already.

I just don't feel it is safe alone. But a group of 9 or 10 year olds I'd be happy to let them out unsupervised. (Disclaimer: we live in the middle of nowhere)

Don't know where you live but where I live kids are always playing out together from as young as 6 up until 11.

No chance

@Christmasfairy2020

No chance

Why not?

My 8&9yos are currently at the park.

I think it depends where you live. At their old school 80% of Yr5, and 95% at least of yr6 made their own way to and from school. Just moved house... And the majority are picked up and dropped off.

Mine’s 9 and has been playing out unsupervised since about 5. There’s a small gang who play together and go over the fields together. They all look out for each other (although the eldest of them is approaching his teenage years and has decided to be mean to my daughter, so she just comes in when that happens)

Contrast this to a friend of mine who wouldn’t allow her children to play unsupervised in their own garden until the eldest was 9!! Crackers!!