What is the appropriate age for a child of normal intellience/ability to be allowed to go out by himself in the neighborhood (to the park, to the store, to a friend's house, etc...), provided the neighborhood is fairly safe?
2006-06-28 08:08:04 · 28 answers · asked by charyl92678 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
This depends on the trust and responsibility your child shows. My parents, at age 8, let me go to the comic store two blocks away in Manhattan by myself. We moved to the country so I had already proven myself and built on that trust.
When you believe your child understands the ways to be safe and responsible, he or she can go out alone. Start by leaving them home alone. Then drop them off at a movie with a friend. Build on the trust so the child not only feels trusts but earns more with good behavior. One age cannot apply to all situations.
2006-06-28 08:11:09 · answer #1 · answered by mikecs83 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
10
2006-06-28 08:14:41 · answer #2 · answered by sl62584 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a tough question. Being a parent you always will think the neighborhood is fairly safe. To the park or to a Friend's house I would have to say 12, but beyond that 15.
2006-06-28 08:12:55 · answer #3 · answered by nikkismom0624 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
7
2006-06-28 08:32:11 · answer #4 · answered by janail_boo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Around the age of 5 or 6 kids should be able to play around their neighborhoods by themselves. I don't know about going to the store by themselves, but the park or a friend's house is fine but it depends on how far away those things are. If the park is down the street or a few blocks away they should be fine and if you know their friend's parents and you trust them then they should be allowed to go by themselves.
2006-06-28 08:12:03 · answer #5 · answered by BeeFree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 8 y/o goes to her friends house down the road but she has to call me before she leaves so I can look out for her when she comes home. She's not allowed to go to a store by herself yet or to a park either. There are too many wierdo's out there who look for girls her age today. Don't ever underestimate the "safeness" of a place, there's safety in numbers...especially if you have girls like I do!
I agree w/ Velken though, we live on a military base housing as well and I'm amazed at the ages of the kids allowed to run amuck just because we are on "base". I'm sorry but my husband works in the Legal office on base and if they knew half of the stuff their neighbors were up to they'd put their kids on lock down. Just because you are on a military installation doesn't mean that everyone living next to you is sane (that goes for the civilian world too!) Don't feel you have to explain to anyone why you feel safer when you have your eyes on your children while they play, if they have a problem with it OH WELL, better safe than sorry!
2006-06-28 09:20:15 · answer #6 · answered by dixi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
15
2006-06-28 08:11:01 · answer #7 · answered by Dio 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can I say 18? I live on a military base and at 5 the kids can go play outside the house as long as they are within voice range. At 12 they can roam around as long as they check in. I am not comfortable with those ages. I still won't let my 8 year old go to the playground without me (I use the 4 yr old as my excuse). My kids are so precious to me, I'd hate for something or someone to hurt them. At 13, I'll prolly let them go to a friend's, IF I have met the friend, their parents, have a phone number, and can trust my kid. I'll be the mom that randomly drops by to make sure my kid is there. Or calls to be sure. I love my kids and trust them, but kids are kids. They'll do stupid stuff just because they can. I don't want to smother them, but I plan to keep a tight reign on them. After 18 they can do stupid stuff, until then, I'm responsible and I want them to live to 18 with no babies, drugs, or kidnappings!
2006-06-28 08:15:49 · answer #8 · answered by Velken 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well depends on the neighborhood.. it if is like the park place and board walk of the US... the projects... I would say about 17 providing he has enough friends and he is big enough also... In normal illegal running grounds USA your neighborhood.. I would say 14-15.... as there isn't much to do as a kid.. Except get drunk and cause trouble or my favorite as a kid... sit on a curb and say there is nothing to do... good luck mommy...
2006-06-28 08:12:47 · answer #9 · answered by need to know basis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a decision that only you can make. It all depends on the level of trust and the true maturity that the child in question obtains and how far away this child will be. In my opinion no one under the age of 12 should be out on their own. Not when we live in this corrupted era.
2006-06-28 09:06:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋