Kids playing outside alone....

[CoffeeCat]

I would love other parent opinions about allowing your small children to play outside
by themselves.

My two girls are ages 7 and 6. I don't mind if they are outside alone in the backyard.
If they are out front, I keep my eye on them, and I make sure that they are ok.

We have a circle drive right in our backyard. I can see it from our back, kitchen
window. I tell the girls that I have no problem with them riding their bikes
in the circle drive, as long as they watch out for cars--and they must be on
the sidewalk when they leave the circle drive--not in the street.

We live in a very suburban, low-crime, safe, kid-friendly neighborhood.

However, I feel uncomfortable allowing my children to go outside and play--where I can't
see them. My husband thinks it's fine if they're out riding their bikes or walking
around out of our view. Am I totally paranoid and nuts for thinking that this is too much
freedom for a 6 and 7 year old girls?

I also don't allow them to ride their bikes in the street. We have a neighbor girl
who rides her bike in the street and pretty much is all over the neighborhood. We
often see her two or three blocks away, while her parents are inside their house.
I thought this was a bit odd, but I'm willing to face the fact that maybe I'm
just too overprotective!

I'd love to hear any opinions.

[fight4my3sons]

1. I agree with you.

My kids are a bit younger (twins will be three in about a month and a 4 yr old, all boys), I like to be able to see them when they are out playing. They are to stay in the yard. We live in a rural area though and our house is back away from the road.

My sister has three children, two girls (9 & 7) and a boy (4). They live in a suburban area at the end of a cul-de-sac and she does not let them ride their bikes in the cul-de-sac unless she is out there with them. Her house is set back from the road area. She will let them ride in the driveway.

I guess it is what you feel comfortable with. I know that I would not feel comfortable with my kids riding thier bikes 2-3 blocks away from my house if I was inside. I don't think you are being overprotective.

[OnionPatch]

2. Well, you are not alone

We live in a nice neighborhood and my whole yard is fenced in all around. My six year old couldn't get out if she tried, but I still like to be able to see her out the window most of the time she's out there. I guess I worry that something could happen, a rattlesnake bite (we have lots of them around here) or even some weirdo coming in the gate......

When she's a little older, I'll be more comfortable to let her out of sight more often and someday (yikes!) I may even let her walk down the street alone. ;)