What age did you stop supervising your kids playing outside with neighborhood kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to live in a neighborhood that people did this. We don’t have sidewalks, though, so kids need to be old enough to have good judgement about walking in the street, which is probably closer to middle elementary age.

We let our 4 and 6 year old roam our own property (2/3 acre so not huge) unsupervised but together. It’s not fenced in, but we are really set back from the road, so don’t have any worries about traffic. If friends come over, we also let them roam around outside. In a couple of years will probably let them walk to the nearby park together.

You may think so now but no you wouldn't. The constant noise level is incredible, as is the amount of damage and vandalism to your property that occurs due to the constant trespassing. Most families allowed constant unsupervised roaming starting at age two in my old neighborhood. Never again.

I grew up in a neighborhood like this and their was none of what you are talking about. My current street only has a few kids, but they play nicely together outside. There’s been no damage or vandalism. And maybe our lots are much bigger, but there also isn’t constant noise.
If there was, it would take less time to find my kid when I need her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm amazed at how lazy people are. At 11, we are still loosely supervising and wouldn't let ours go off on their own.

I'm amazed at how many helicopter parents there still are - independence and confidence are learned through practice - but not while mom and dad are breathing down your neck watching your every move. I'm not lazy; I want my kid to learn how to function on their own and by taking small steps like letting them go outside of our house in our neighborhood alone, they will learn this. Did your parents watch your every move? At 11?!?!?!?!?! Your kid is going to be stunted emotionally.

[Anonymous]

I feel like the parent of 11 yo has to be a troll. Or lives in a bad part of town. Or is completely insane.

I’m ok with my 8 yo having a little more freedom outside, but I like to know where she is. No aimless wandering—she goes to a destination like the playground or a friend’s and returns at a set time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm amazed at how lazy people are. At 11, we are still loosely supervising and wouldn't let ours go off on their own.

I'm amazed at how many helicopter parents there still are - independence and confidence are learned through practice - but not while mom and dad are breathing down your neck watching your every move. I'm not lazy; I want my kid to learn how to function on their own and by taking small steps like letting them go outside of our house in our neighborhood alone, they will learn this. Did your parents watch your every move? At 11?!?!?!?!?! Your kid is going to be stunted emotionally.

Yes, my parents kept track of us at 11. Its called parenting. You should try it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like the parent of 11 yo has to be a troll. Or lives in a bad part of town. Or is completely insane.

I’m ok with my 8 yo having a little more freedom outside, but I like to know where she is. No aimless wandering—she goes to a destination like the playground or a friend’s and returns at a set time.

Right? Has to be a troll right?

If not, that poor kid. What a lousy childhood to have your Mom lurking at all times.

[Anonymous]

Kindergarten and 3rd would go out alone last year as long as they stayed in the backyard. They can walk to friends houses a couple of doors down with permission and both sets of parents knowing (to confirm that they arrived).

This year, we supervise when there are other kids around to make sure they keep their distance.

[Anonymous]

I finally started letting my daughter hang out with some of the neighborhood kids without direct full-time supervision at around 13. Until then one parent had to be present the entire time.

[Anonymous]

For playing outside within cul de sac, around age 6 or when my DD showed enough good judgement around car safety and responsible enough to know how far she's allowed to go and she needs to be back by certain time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I finally started letting my daughter hang out with some of the neighborhood kids without direct full-time supervision at around 13. Until then one parent had to be present the entire time.

No way

[Anonymous]

We live in a city. Our son will be able to play alone, with minimal supervision in our fenced backyard when he's about 5. Our condo overlooks the yard so supervision will be there, but minimal.

I would not feel comfortable with him alone on the sidewalks out front until he's at least in middle school.

Where you live has a lot to do with what age is safe for unsupervised time outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I finally started letting my daughter hang out with some of the neighborhood kids without direct full-time supervision at around 13. Until then one parent had to be present the entire time.

Does she have special needs? Serious questions, not trolling...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm amazed at how lazy people are. At 11, we are still loosely supervising and wouldn't let ours go off on their own.

I'm amazed at how many helicopter parents there still are - independence and confidence are learned through practice - but not while mom and dad are breathing down your neck watching your every move. I'm not lazy; I want my kid to learn how to function on their own and by taking small steps like letting them go outside of our house in our neighborhood alone, they will learn this. Did your parents watch your every move? At 11?!?!?!?!?! Your kid is going to be stunted emotionally.

Can you read idiot? She said “loosely supervising,” not breathing down her kids’ necks. PP’s kids will be fine but clearly, yours won’t.

[Anonymous]

4- playing in our backyard and the neighbor’s backyard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm amazed at how lazy people are. At 11, we are still loosely supervising and wouldn't let ours go off on their own.

I'm amazed at how many helicopter parents there still are - independence and confidence are learned through practice - but not while mom and dad are breathing down your neck watching your every move. I'm not lazy; I want my kid to learn how to function on their own and by taking small steps like letting them go outside of our house in our neighborhood alone, they will learn this. Did your parents watch your every move? At 11?!?!?!?!?! Your kid is going to be stunted emotionally.

Can you read idiot? She said “loosely supervising,” not breathing down her kids’ necks. PP’s kids will be fine but clearly, yours won’t.

NP. What do you think “loosely supervising” means in this context? She says her child is not allowed to go off on her own, which means the poor child would not be able to walk to a park or friend’s house without a parent accompanying her. That is a bizarre situation for an 11 year old to find herself in, unless there is something dangerous about the neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

I let my 1st grader play in our yard (I watch) my 2nd and 3rd graders go over to friends houses within 2 blocks (I call them routinely to check in)