What age is acceptable for children to play outside of the garden without adult supervision.?

Question

My nephews and neice are 11, 6 and 5 and my neice who is now 5 has been playing outside (without adult supervision) since she was 3. My nephew when he was 4 went shoplifting!!!! without anyone even knowing he was gone, as he had been allowed to play in the street. The street is a no through road and has a park attached to it which the children are allowed to play in. Am i the only one who doesnt think this is acceptable?

Answer 1

I agree with you, children under the age of 10 should always be supervised. Older children shouldn't be given the task to watch the younger ones either. Besides there kids themselves.

Answer 2

Children need to be supervised. The 11 year old is not yet old enough to supervise the younger children for more than a few minutes. Ideally the parents or a babysitter should be sitting outside with them at all times. If the yard is fenced in and has a locking gates and the parents can see the children from inside, the parents need to check on them every 5 - 10 minutes (windows should be open so the parents can hear everything going on).

Why don't you offer to come supervise them for one hour 3 times a week, it sounds like the parents have a lot of things going on and can use as much help as they can find.

Answer 3

This is sad, indeed. Children need adult supervision throughout their lives. Younger than fourteen, they need consistant supervision. Sad as it is, this is one reason many children are kidnapped, sodomized and worse, left for dead. Sad as it is, also, this is one reason why children end up with serious injuries. Children do not "rationalize" between right and wrong and children are helpless to predators. I don't know what state you live in, but in all states, this goes on and on. These children are very fortunate to have not had these things happen to them. Even through the ages of 14-18, children need supervision, ie; who their hanging with, where their going, time frame restrictions, telephone conversations and so forth. Without parental guidance, these children are at risk more than others I think, in not making right decisions, and getting into all kinds of trouble, life threatening and otherwise.
Seems these parents figure having children is not a full time job. For a child a four to leave and shoplift while his dissapearance goes unnoticed by parents is sinful. These parents allow their children to "live their own lives" and take their "own risks" throughout each day and this is awful. Their job does not end with their being able to walk and talk and opening the door and saying, "be careful, have a nice day, later." They are negligent and this is definitely a form of abuse. Children's protective Services would tell you the same thing.
I feel badly for these children and can only pray for their continued safety.

Answer 4

Nowadays I don't think any age is acceptable. 16-17 year old girls get abducted walking down the street so the fact that 4 and 5 year olds are out front infuriate me. I would never leave my children unattended no matter how nice the neighborhood it. I would rather be safe than sorry - It only takes a second for something to happen and a whole lifetime to regret it.

Answer 5

No it's not acceptable! I won't be letting my children play outside alone until they are about 12. It depends on their nature because they are nearly 7 and 8 and are well behaved sensible boys (most of the time!) but they are nowhere near ready yet because the streets just aren't safe. Maybe the 11 year old should be allowed to play but certainly not the younger ones. What if they get abducted?! I'd talk to your brother/sister about this before it's too late.

Answer 6

I totally agree with you!My son is 9 now and still not allowed to venture very far (even though his friends are!!)My daughter is 4 and there's absolutely NO WAY i'll be letting her out the front to play for another couple of years at least.I know alot of people think that this is wrapping them up in cotton wool but i'd rather do things the way i am doing than live with the regret of something awful happening to my kids!The world's not a safe place to be these days,and the sooner people realise that the better...well i think anyway lol.

Answer 7

I think pretty much that everyone is correct. Children being the opperative word here should never, ever be left alone in or out of the yard/garden. And most definitely, should never play in the street. Even the most careful driver can get distracted and have an accident. These days you never know who is actually watching your kids, just waiting for a chance to do harm. You should always distrust people just because this keeps you on your toes with your kids. Treasure your kids and love and protect them before its tooooo late and then have to say to yourself if only I had.....

God gives you a gift, you decide how to take care of it. Hopefully you will do all in your power to take care, love, protect and most of all cherish.

Answer 8

I agree with you. Back in the 1950s it was considered safe to let children as young as 6 play outside their own yards. But today, with so many sexual predators, drug dealers and even just fast drivers on the roads, etc. it's unsafe for children under the age of 8 or 10 to be out there. The child has to be old enough to assess traffic and other dangers.

Answer 9

You're not the only one. It's actually against the law to let your children out with anyone under 12. And when they do go out, make sure you know where they are the whole time. We make my little sister come back every half hour unless she is round a friends, and my nan doesn't let her out without an adult. Just make sure when you are looking after them that you know where they are. Although I do not think your nephew knew what he was doing at 4.

Answer 10

In today's society, I think it's best for children of less than secondary school age (11 and up) to be supervised at all times unless they're in the garden. Even then they should be monitored regularly ... you just can't be sure anymore!

As for the park ... any old paedo could be wandering loose and that's a recipe for trouble!