Am I too strict with my kids???

Question

I have 2 kids aged 7 and 5, I still dont allow my eldest to play outside of the garden on the street or go to the shops alone.
They are both in bed by 7.30-8pm on school nights, my friends tell me I need to give him more freedom and maybe give him a mobile phone so i dont worry when he is out alone, I disagree!!! he's too young!!! what do you think?

Answer 1

thank god for another parent like me..i have been called over protective and neurotic and told that i should give my kids freedom.i would rather they were safe at home, and well rested than be on the front page of the papers as the next victim of some sick paedophile. i totally agree with you that they are far too young to be out alone, and their bedtime is perfect for their age.
ignore your friends, you know whats best for your kids..
i have never been able to understand why people send their kids out on the streets when they have gardens, and if you gave a mble to your son, how is that going to keep him safe? he s more likely to get it stolen.
be proud of yourself and stick to your guns..i salute you

Answer 2

It depends a lot where you live, whether you let them go to the shops alone. Personally I think that they are too young, but it is good practice for them to walk with you so that they know the way, and learn how to walk on/cross streets for when they are bigger.
As for playing in the street, why do that when you have a garden? Let the friends play in your garden. As a driver, I would prefer not to have to look out for children playing in the street.
Your bedtime during school time is great. Children do better in school when they have enough sleep, in my experience.(Mother of three - now 9, 15 and 17)
Make your own decisions about your children, but these days I think 5 and 7 is too young to be out alone - unless you live in a gated community or something similar.

Answer 3

I think that you are right....7 and 5 are to young to be playing in the street and going to shops by themselves!
I hate all these people "parents" that let their kids run wild!!! Where do their children end up??? Not following rule, not listening and respecting others, and getting into trouble. Where can that lead?? To jail and to prison.

we have to have a very strict home with my SD....she has some behavioral problems and being strict and sticking to a schedule really helps her! 7:30 or 8pm bed time sounds about right for a 7 year old!! My 9 year old SD...doesnt stay up much past that on school nights! It's all about looking out for what is best for her!!

*Cell Phone....no way!!!! Not until she starts driving a car!!!!!!*

Answer 4

I may be one of those parents too because i agree with what you are doing is right taking into consideration of what sort of people are around on our streets,giving him a mobile phone could potentially make him a target dont do it not yet maybe when he is ten that's when i gave my daughter one but i still wont let her go out with it especially on her own,i only answer this Q' as to what i would do,but you know your kids and where u live so its at your descretion,personally i think 7 years old is ok to play outside if you can see him but not to go to the shops alone or have a phone,regards wayne.

Answer 5

well its depends on where you live. If you live in a busy area then you have a point of not leting the 5 year old out of the garden but your seven year old should allow out to play there by but he must always tell where he is going. if you live in a quite place were there isnt too many cars then let them both out to play. they have to get street wise and if you dont let them out then when it comes to the time for them to leave home they wont know what to do. oh if there is a shop near you then you should allow your seven year old go there but straight back, but dont let the 5 year old go but when your seven year has done it and been good then some enoght he can bring his little brother with him. i think the time they go to bed on a school night is alright for the five year old but you should let the seven year old always stay up even a half an hour later because hes older. i disagree with your friend, dont give him a phone, he's way too young. he wouldnt know what to do with it and would loss it. well thats what i think, your kids need freedom so give them a bit.

Answer 6

You're doing a really good job. My 7 year old doesn't go to the shops on his own, he's in bed by 8 every night and is far too young for a mobile phone! He does sometimes play out on the street, but we live in a v quiet cul de sac and I always make sure I keep an eye out for him. You're a good and responsible parent.

Answer 7

I dont beleive that you should give a child of 7 a cell phone. What could he use it for. Parents need to know where there kids are no matter what and giving someone so young a cell phone is only asking for trouble. Dont listen to any body yourself. They are your kids and you know how to raise them. You know them better then any one else and even though there are a lot of people out there that think they know how to be a "good" parent the kids arent theres. Do what YOU feel is best and everything will be fine. Not allowing your kids to run wild I think is a very very good thing. Go with your gut instinct.

Answer 8

i have a girl whos 7, boy/girl twins who are 5 and a 14wk old boy and im with you all the way! my 7yr old is pestering me for a mobile and i told her not till shes at secondary school at the earliest. Shes never far from home and someone would only steal it from her if they say a child of her age with one. Im even meaner than you as well, my kids r in bed by 7-7.30. They need their sleep and its me that would have to deal with it if they were grouchy cos of being overtired. At the end of the day, im only 27 and theres far more scary people out there then when i was a kid and its not that i dont trust her, its that i dont trust strangers!

Answer 9

i think you are right, a 7 yr old doesn't need a mobile phone as they shouldn't be going anywhere alone. He's too young.
I also think your bed time is ok too, kids get tired at school & need their rest.
My daughter is 5, and i let her play out the front with neighbours kids, but we live in a small cul de sac & i only let her out when i am in the kitchen , this is at front of house & i can see her from the window. She is not allowed to cross the road & the front door is always open.
Dont worry you are doing right by your kids.

Answer 10

I certainly do not think you are too strict with your kids. They are both too young to be out on their own, even the eldest is too young for a mobile phone, far too young. Mine are quite a bit older than yours now but when they were younger they went to bed early. Each year as they got older they were allowed stay up a little later, obviously in the holidays they were given quite a bit of latitude. Being strict and fair has done them no harm whatsoever.

Answer 11

I will have to agree with you on the matter....Why would you give a 7 yr old a cell phone???? Sounds like the people you hang with are lacking in being responsible there selves... Guess why i am thinking i am so old that i do not know how to raise children anymore. even give them the benefit of the doubt.

Just maybe i am not thinking or in touch with society anymore...To allow young children to just run around with a cell phone and all. where does the parents responsibility begin and end????

But once again i think you are doing and heading in the right direction..... by being responsible....

Gu

Good luck

God bless.!!