Do you think it is better to live in a neighborhood full of kids or be sheltered?

[Anonymous]

We chose a neighborhood where the houses were closer together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neighborhood friends kind of peter off around middle school when kids get really busy.

We live in a neighborhood with lots of kids and three out of my four kids didn't really connect with another neighborhood kid, but my daughter's best friend lives across the street.

My neighborhood does have a Halloween event, and other social things throughout the year, and that makes it feel nice and "old fashioned." We like that vibe. Maybe that would be a good reason to move?

In terms of sheltering your kids, you can still be on top of where they are hanging out and be very selective with sleep overs. You pretty much have until middle school to "set" their moral compass. Most people we've encountered with all our kids were good people who supervised appropriately. You can be wary, but connection is really important for this generation.

That only happens if parents but into the whole "busier is better" thing. Our neighborhood was still going strong with kids in middle school.

[Anonymous]

Yup, having a big yard but not having anyone to play with isn’t great. Kids will find spaces to play even if yards are small.

However, sometimes you live in a smaller neighborhood with a few good friends, and it all works out.

I don’t think either is perfect, but I would give the edge to walkable neighborhood.

For older kids, the most dangerous thing is driving. I would consider that as well.

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone parent want to isolate their child? Or move them to a neighborhood without kids unless they had no other choice?

[Anonymous]

Sheltered for sure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sheltered for sure

Why? Why do that to a kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s great to grow up in an area where kids aren’t in a very easy distance. It helps children set boundaries, manage time. Play dates can be arranged with clear time frames. I wouldn’t call it “sheltered”. I call it family focused.

Ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in a suburban neighborhood where all the kids go to FCPS public school. There are sidewalks, trails, playgrounds, and neighborhood pool.

My kids are now teenagers but we moved here when they were toddlers. It has been wonderful. They know so many kids in the neighborhood. They have roamed around to the playgrounds and pool with friends. It has made for a wonderful childhood for my kids and I really recommend it if possible.

Previous posters said the kids aren’t friends by teenagers, but that hasn’t proven true for my kids, and another poster said the kids don’t get their licenses, but I don’t see that in our neighborhood at all.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone parent want to isolate their child? Or move them to a neighborhood without kids unless they had no other choice?

They don't like kids ringing their doorbell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone parent want to isolate their child? Or move them to a neighborhood without kids unless they had no other choice?

They don't like kids ringing their doorbell.

Sad reason

[Anonymous]

There is such a short window of time where this matters. By middle school it’s done anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is such a short window of time where this matters. By middle school it’s done anyway.

No its not, not for all kids anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is such a short window of time where this matters. By middle school it’s done anyway.

So just because it MIGHT not last long, its not worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would anyone parent want to isolate their child? Or move them to a neighborhood without kids unless they had no other choice?

They don't like kids ringing their doorbell.

Truth

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is such a short window of time where this matters. By middle school it’s done anyway.

By 12 it’s done