My 12yo just came home limping because another kid crashed into him. No, I would not let a 4yo go alone.

No way would I send a 4yo.

My 7yo is my youngest and she lasted 10 min outside. Half a mile would be hard for her but she could do it. I can’t even imagine her at age 4.

I would let them play in our backyard.

Yea I friggin hate HATE HATE sledding unless it’s a completely controlled environment like tubing. Sorry to be downer. Like above said I have heard of so many injuries. When I was in middle school, and this was like 7th or 8th grade I think so everyone was basically way old enough to know better, kid in our class ran into a picnic table with their mouth while sledding. Needed plastic surgery , numerous dental implants. The works. It was horrific.

A kid at our elementary school had a massive head injury due to hitting a tree while sledding. It was really awful and it opened my eyes to the very real dangers of sledding.

I would be okay if the 9yo and 7yo kids were in the backyard/within earshot but I think a 4yo needs eyes on them while playing in the snow, making sure they aren't getting overly cold/tired, or taking off their gloves or what have you.

Far too young. “More than 20,000 emergency department visits a year are related to sledding incidents among children under age 19 in the United States, research suggests.

Peter Ehrlich, M.D., director of the Mott Pediatric Trauma Center, says head injuries and broken bones are among the most common injuries from sledding incidents.”

Source: https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/mom-cautions-parents-sledding-dangers-after-daughters-traumatic-accident#:~:text=More%20than%2020%2C000%20emergency%20department,common%20injuries%20from%20sledding%20incidents.

You and DH should stagger your lunch breaks and spend it at the hill, then everyone come home after.

Anonymous wrote:Op here - thanks for all the suggestions. I will probably just have to take most of the day off. Days like today are what frustrate me the most because DH has no flexibility and can’t help more than yelling at the kids and dog to be quiet while he works.

Yeah, this is why usually someone ends up having to stay in a job, or only seek out jobs, with a lot of flexibility. I haven't gone for promotions or changed positions because my DH has an intense job with long hours and frequent travel. I've been the default parent since day one.

9 year old could go with friends alone but I would not allow the 4 year old to go too. Maybe the 7 year old.

Op here - thanks for all the suggestions. I will probably just have to take most of the day off. Days like today are what frustrate me the most because DH has no flexibility and can’t help more than yelling at the kids and dog to be quiet while he works.

Ask your neighbors if there's a high schooler who would take them sledding for $

Anonymous wrote:I would a lot a half hour or so this morning to take them sledding. Hopefully by then the 4 year old is tired and cold and is done. Bring him home and let the older 2 stay. Start cartoons and hot chocolate so you can get worm done. Or maybe you’ll find a friend for him to stay with. I would not have felt comfortable sending my kids off our street at those ages to sled.

Yeah OP I would just be a less-than-ideal employee today.

This would be an amazing experience if you send them on their own but if the 4 is more rambunctious, you should meet up with them towards the end and after a check in call

Also depends on the hill. My kids like to go to Ft Reno, which is a little sketchy with the cars. 10 and up yes, but not 7 and certainly not 4.

Anonymous wrote:I would let the 9 year old go! But not be responsible for her siblings! take them all on your lunch break

+1

I would a lot a half hour or so this morning to take them sledding. Hopefully by then the 4 year old is tired and cold and is done. Bring him home and let the older 2 stay. Start cartoons and hot chocolate so you can get worm done. Or maybe you’ll find a friend for him to stay with. I would not have felt comfortable sending my kids off our street at those ages to sled.