https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 21:01:20 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25609 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:47:11 +0000 runsyellowlites 25609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep! DS is 7 &amp; plays outside all the time while we're inside at home. He has to check in periodically and come in when he starts seeing the headlights on on cars.</p> <p>The apartments that we live in (along with all the newer apts in our town) are sect 8/govt based (haven't a clue why they use our nice apts for this but they do...) so we know that everyone that lives here had to have a background check &amp; we don't have any listed sex offenders in the apts. We don't really worry about him going missing of anything like that for the simple fact that abduction really isn't more prevalent today then it used to be.... it's just more known with media. Plus we just dealt with an awkward circumstance over Thanksgiving where DS wouldn't hug one of DH's male cousins b/c he didn't remember him... he said "I don't hug men." and I was standing RIGHT there. So I feel pretty confident that DS would run if someone tried to coax him. lol</p> <p>I couldn't imagine not letting him out on his own.... we've set up guidelines and are pretty strict in enforcing them (he was grounded for a week b/c he came it after it was already just about dark). If DS isn't allowed to go out his own, how will he ever know how to discern different situations?</p> <p>We're very open and talk about him &amp; his friends, their lives (as some are the "squarest" kids on the block &amp; come from all different backgrounds) and with that we get to help DS learn how to avoid situations and how to deal with situations that come up.</p> <p>Outside = Good life experiences &amp; lessons =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25608 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:43:46 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 25608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I played outside unsupervised all the time. Well my parents would peak through the windows at us but that was about it. I'll do the same with my kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25607 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:42:55 +0000 Navy_Mommy 25607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Being able to just let my kids go out and play is really important to me, so even after we're out of the military (and thus not living on a military base) I'll do everything in my power to live in a neighborhood that would let us feel comfortable enough to just let our kids out and play!</p> <p>I lived on a main road growing up and I would still go play with my neighbors. We would just stay in our yards, or go to the apartment that was down the street if we wanted to ride bikes (so we could ride in the parking lot). I'm willing to be anyone living on that street now won't just let their kids walk down the street to hang out with their friends anymore which is sad to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25602 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:34:05 +0000 MsMini 25602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kids in my neighbourhood often are found playing unsupervised on the playgrounds, riding their bikes around, etc. If we are still living in this area when our kids are old enough, I can see us allowing the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25585 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:56:05 +0000 mrsjyw 25585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely! This was a huge part of DH and my growing up and we chose our house now and will choose our dream home in the future based on the safety and family-oriented neighborhood. </p> <p>The lil kids in our neighborhood often play together outside and all of the parents know one another. We will definitely wait until mid-late elementary school years, for safety purposes, but I definitely think that sheltering kids too much can also be detrimental as some parents believe leaving them without supervision can be to their safety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25582 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:53:28 +0000 StbHisMrs 25582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. If we lived somewhere other than we do now then it would be a no. We live in the country, they have 25 acres to roam at Grandma and Grandpa's. We let them ride their bikes around the neighborhood (it's a dead end and we have friends all along the road). They're 9, 6, and 3 the 3 year old has to stay in our driveway, the 6 year old can't go without the 9 year old. I think we're lucky to live where we do, but I also know that there are creepers around us to, I'm always going out and checking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25555 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:55:21 +0000 Red 25555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to play unsupervised in the apartment complex where we lived but then again all the families in the complex knew each other so they there was always a few adults/older kids to get help from if needed. </p> <p>We moved to our city because it's a safe community and I'd love to let my LO out to play on her own but it would really depend on how things are that time. I would say at least 7 or 8 years old before I even consider it though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25532 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:27:02 +0000 dc yoga bee 25532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work at a District Attorney's Office in the Sexual Assault/ Domestic Violence division. Knowing what's really going on out there even in our best neighborhoods (think people photographing your kids at the pool) um, hell no. You're never too paranoid until it's your kid molested/missing/worse. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25518 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:10:56 +0000 HabesBabe 25518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was the best during the summer because the lights didn't come on for awhile (with daylight saving and all). I think that kids need to have some independence and opportunities to get into minor trouble. For example, my friend had an awesome bike and her parents always told her to be responsible/care for it. She would ride it to school and once we went to a liquor store to play Street Fighter (lol) and she didn't lock it up, and it was stolen. You better believe she took care of her stuff after that.</p> <p>I think kids nowadays are too protected (or parents are just too paranoid). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25514 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:07:06 +0000 Crisark 25514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughters do but not really at our house. My in-laws have a fenced in backyard and they often play back there without someone right on the porch.<br /> I am a bit over protective in comparison to my DH. He doesn't see much issue with it even at our home but I'm still leery.<br /> I just can't shake the fear of someone snatching them or them going where they shouldn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25510 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:54:52 +0000 chopsuey 25510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on where we're living when our LOs are old enough to play outside. Currently we're about 20 mins from Atlanta. Atlanta's known as the #1 hub of human trafficking and child sex exploitation in the US (can you believe it?!) so if we're still here, hells no I'm not letting my kids outta my sight.<br /> This is why we have 2 guns at home too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25507 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:49:02 +0000 cyndistar3 25507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on the neighborhood. Where we live now, absolutely not but we will be moving. I remember as a kid me and my sister would go roam around the area to places like the docks and the library, gas station and all that fun stuff. I like the idea of the streetlight rule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25489 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:06:57 +0000 Adira 25489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HabesBabe: Oooh, I live somewhere where we have street lights (I grew up in the country where we didn't have any) and I love the idea of using that as the timing! I'm totally going to do that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25479 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:54:11 +0000 HabesBabe 25479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely. I grew up playing with my friends outside, unsupervised, and then we all had to go home when the street lights came on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25478 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:48:33 +0000 mynoahbear 25478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it would depend on where we're living and how old they are. I grew up playing free range as long as I stayed in our own neighborhood. If it's any type of big city, then no I wouldn't feel comfortable letting them play outside unsupervised. But a smaller town, where I knew the majority of neighbors, then as long as they stayed within viewing distance of the house, it would be ok. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25477 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:48:17 +0000 MsMamaBear 25477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Only in the backyard. It's fenced. If she had a sibling, I'd be more inclined. The kids I see playing have a buddy aka sibling with them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25467 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:36:56 +0000 Adira 25467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our kids will definitely be allowed to play outside unsupervised. I remember growing up, I used to ride my bike down the street to my friend's house, and we'd go bike riding to the local store and around town. Some of my fondest memories are playing outside with friends.</p> <p>We live in a larger community than I did growing up, so there will probably be more restrictions on my kids, but definitely once I feel they are mature enough to be unsupervised, I'll let them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25466 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:34:38 +0000 tequiero21 25466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>really depends on where i end up living. i don't mind if we live in a cul-de-sac where i can keep an eye on them. and really, i have to be around. unless they're old enough.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25462 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:27:42 +0000 Miss Adia 25462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will. I don't like how parents are becoming so overprotective that the thought of sending their children out to check the mail scares the crap out of them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25457 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:14:39 +0000 Rescuemom10 25457@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was always outside playing as a kid. my brother and I had way more outside activites and what not outside vs. inside. It was huge dissapointment of for whatever reason we could no go outside. Which was not often.<br /> SD is 8 and we let her play outside by herself. We do live out in the country but even when we lived in town we had a playground in our neighborhood and we would let her go there with other kids and just peek out every now and again and what not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25450 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:08:05 +0000 Meridian 25450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess it depend on where we live! I love the idea of it because I used to play in my backyard with the neighborhood kids. Or we'd go back and forth from one house to another, to the other with none of our parents worried about our whereabouts.</p> <p>Oh, I miss those carefree days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25445 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:00:39 +0000 Wondermommy 25445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My (now) 11 y/o plays outside by himself with the rest of the neighborhood kids, and has been since about age 5/6? At first, I would hover out there every now and then with them, but not anymore since he's gotten older. He does, however have to check-in every hour, on the hour. If not, I go looking for him at all of his friends' homes. When my 3 y/o gets old enough, I'll turn him loose with his bro as a supervisor, lol.</p> <p>I grew up as a free range kid, lol, so I want the same for mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25436 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:53:10 +0000 Mrs.KMM 25436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids will absolutely play outside by themselves. That how I was raised and I plan to do the same. Some of my favorite memories of playing with other kids come from these unsupervised times.</p> <p>Plus, I think it builds a sense of independence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25411 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:29:46 +0000 Rosie Girl 25411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I will! I think once DS is in school, he will be able to play outside on his own. I will of course check on him, especially the first times, but he will be sent out to play! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25409 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:29:02 +0000 mrsjazz 25409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope! And I feel so sad about it. But not as long as we're living in NYC. And I grew up here, my sister and I played outside unsupervised almost every day that it was warm--all the kids played outside unsupervised, though there might be a couple of parents sitting on stoops and older kids to watch over us. Everyone looked out for each other. Things aren't the same! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25408 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:28:53 +0000 mrsguinness 25408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I see kids around our neighborhood often...we live in a small town. I know that doesn't exempt us from bad people but I will at least let them play in the backyard unsupervised. I think... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25405 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:26:26 +0000 heffalump 25405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably. Other kids in our neighborhood are always outside unsupervised. But I'm sure I'll be that mom who's always either secretly checking or coming up with excuses like offering snacks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25404 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:25:28 +0000 mekarual 25404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids will absolutely play outside by themselves. I'm not sure what age, that will depend on their individual development and maturity levels. Of course, before that happens they will know their address and phone number by heart, and will be taught about what to do in different situations.</p> <p>I'm a definite believer in "Free Range Kids" : <a href="http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25399 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:23:50 +0000 Andrea 25399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was never allowed this free play growing up so it's a little foreign to me. DH did that so I know he will encourage it but I guess we'll have to see how the other parents in the neighborhood feel about it ... she might not have anyone to play with outside anyway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/will-you-ever-let-your-kids-play-outside-without-supervision#post-25395 Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:21:29 +0000 mrbee 25395@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember how growing up, the neighborhood kids would all play together outside. Now it seems like everyone plays indoors while on play-dates or while supervised at the playground.</p> <p>I can't help but feel that something has been lost... but at the same time, it seems like "free play" is now considered the crazy thing to do.</p> <p>Will you ever let your kids play outside without supervision? How old would your LO have to be? </p>