i have a friend who lets her 4 and 2 almost 3 year olds play in the backyard by themselves.
my daughter just turned 4 and i still don't, am i just being to overly paranoid?
2007-07-23 09:04:44 · 14 answers · asked by 3 girls call me mommy 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
i'm not bashing her at all, i think its fine and actually great that she does.
I was just wondeirng what other people do. I found out today she does and now am wondering if i am just to overly protective or what :)
2007-07-23 09:09:24 · update #1
No you're not. You just never know what sort of person is walking around the neighborhood looking for kids playing alone outside. I'm sorry but a "fence" does nothing. People can jump fences, or unlock gates. If they want a child, they will get one. I don't think it's ever a problem to be "too safe". I think an adult or trusted responsible teenager should be around to keep an eye on small children. Just ask the parents of children who have been kidnapped.
2007-07-23 09:09:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 2.5 and is very active. We have a pergola out the back and a small grass area. Every day i take him out i do a walk around amd make sure its all safe, then i set up all his toys. He has a jumping castle, ball pit, tents and tunnels, bike, etc. Once i set everything up i come inside ans start my cleaning. I keep the windows and blinds open so i can see and hear him.
He has been going outside alone since he was almost 2. I found it gave him more independance and i give him plenty of things to amuse him so he doesnt get into mischief. I dont lock him out there, i still keep an eye on him its just from a distance.
He's always been an outside kind of kid so we used to be outside all the time from birth. At 1.5 i would let him play on the grass and started to walk inside and leave him for a few sec, then come back out. Eventually he bacame confident enough to be outside alone and the length of time increased. Even though i say hes alone outside i still make sure i can see him and hear him. Everyone is different though.
2007-07-23 18:36:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
My kids are almost 3 and almost 4! I would not let me be outside by them selfs! But more so her kids! What if the two year old picks something up and swallows it and chokes! That 4 year old wouldn't know what to do! Sounds to me like this lady is not very caring, smart at all! This makes me un easy i pray for the best for those children!
2007-07-23 16:21:35 · answer #3 · answered by Mom of three beautiful kids. 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if there are no safety issues, your four year old should be fine, but almost three year olds----i don't think i would. but you should know your child's maturity level and be able to give them a little freedom if they are ready and responsible. my son is almost six and i will let him play in the back by himself, BUT, i always have the blinds pulled so that i can keep an eye on him and I NEVER let him play in the front with out someone watching.
2007-07-23 16:12:21 · answer #4 · answered by Rene W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK- I let my 4 and 6 year old play by themselves in the backyard. BUT- I have an "open" floorplan in my home so I can see them from the sliding door from my kitchen or family room! If I didn't have the open view- I'd be more hesitant and probably wouldn't let them be out alone.
2007-07-24 15:07:24 · answer #5 · answered by Namom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, you are not being paranoid. Every child is different. What is OK for one child may not be OK for the other. Being paranoid is better than not being concerned at all with all of these kidnappings going on, it's better safe than sorry. I waited until my kids are at least 6 yeard old, and have the ability to tell me if anything happend. Everybody is different.
2007-07-23 16:10:57 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it depends. i have a 7, 4 and 10 month old and i have a backyard with a privacy fence. i am ok with my two oldest playing alone outside in the back. we just keep the blinds open so we can still keep a good watch over them.
2007-07-23 16:07:54 · answer #7 · answered by jrenee49 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a 3-1/2 yr old and would not let him play outside alone...even with the back of the house all windows....too dangerous. I will let my 13 year old watch him for a few min. outside if i need to run inside for a sec.
2007-07-23 17:04:43 · answer #8 · answered by Prisillla68 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my kids are 6 and 4, and I have an enclosed back yard, but sometimes they like to play out front by themselves, this I don't mind so much because I can hear them from my front door, But until the kid is 5 or 6 I would def. supervise..... my kids know not to talk to strangers and scream if someone approaches, but 2 and 3 is too young..... they are still clumsy and what if they get hurt?
2007-07-23 16:09:49 · answer #9 · answered by pepsi_grl13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 is a bit young. 4 is OK, as long as their is a safely set up area out back for them to play.
2007-07-24 04:04:13 · answer #10 · answered by olschoolmom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋