https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 08 May 2026 11:32:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525883 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:43:48 +0000 Happygal 2525883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on the space and the child! If it's a child who likes taking risks and doesn't see the potential harm in situations, I'd probably watch her closely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525864 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:34:38 +0000 psw27 2525864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No but we are in the middle of the city. It will be a while before he has any adventures on his own! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525850 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:23:06 +0000 avivoca 2525850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably when she's five or so. At that point, she should know to not open the gate (it's really hard to open anyway) and to stay in the yard. I would be able to see her from the kitchen and hear with the windows open. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525802 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 09:00:12 +0000 catomd00 2525802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If our yard was fenced, yes. I let my 2 year old play alone in our Inlaws back yard that's fenced. we keep the door open and check on her frequently. I'm more worried someone would call the cops on me for it than anything happen to her. She's super responsible and cautious. She's been allowed to play alone downstairs while I'm upstairs for a while now. I've never caught her doing anything she shouldn't be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525771 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 08:34:19 +0000 ShootingStar 2525771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At some point yes, but not right now. DS is 2.5 and not mature enough yet. We have steps he could fall on and we back up to some woods. When he's old enough that I don't have to worry about how he goes up and down stairs and I know that he can stay in our yard and cul de sac, and get out of the way of cars, he can roam more freely. But in reality, he doesn't even want to play by himself now anyways. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525758 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 08:24:28 +0000 babynumber1 2525758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If we had a fenced in yard, I would let my 4 year old play in the fenced in yard alone. We do not and she plays in the driveway, so I always stay out there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525738 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 08:14:36 +0000 Alba4 2525738@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When he is in elementary school, absolutely! He is only 2.5 and we don't have a fence... Yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525736 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 08:12:27 +0000 regberadaisy 2525736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No because we have a inground pool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525734 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 08:11:00 +0000 snowjewelz 2525734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not now since she's only 16 mo! We do have a big fenced in yard, so I might consider when she can understand to never, under any circumstance, open the gates and head outside! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525700 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 07:52:08 +0000 Smurfette 2525700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She can play on our deck while we are inside cooking or something but she knows that she has to stay up on the deck, can't go on the side of the house, or below into the grass. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525697 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 07:50:41 +0000 yellowbird 2525697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I let my 3.5 year old go out in our fenced private backyard once and it lasted about 2 minutes. I was way too paranoid something would happen! When she is older she will be allowed in the fenced yard by herself but probably not allowed to walk around the neighborhood by herself for a loooonng time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525636 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:53:16 +0000 cat620 2525636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a tiny backyard that is completely fenced in, and I let my almost 3 year old back there without direct supervision. I usually am close to a window, so I can look out and see him if I need to, and I also listen out for any noises he makes. But I think he enjoys going out there alone and feeling some independence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525631 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:50:25 +0000 MrsSRS 2525631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 2.5 DS is allowed to play in our fenced back uard, although I check frequently and also keep the door open to listen. Our front yard isn't fenced, but maybe in two years? And 5 or so to pop between yards with neighbors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525629 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:49:10 +0000 winniebee 2525629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eventually yes. Our town pretty much has no crime. We live on a cul de sac and we have a big yard. I would be fine with it now, except the perimeter of our yard is not fenced in. T is a pretty good rule follower for age 4 but not comfortable yet. Maybe age 6?. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525623 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:38:08 +0000 Adira 2525623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eventually, yes! We live in a little safe cul-de-sac, so as long as I'm confident that he knows the rules and will stay on our road, I'd let him roam around free. Not at 3 though! Not sure what age though... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525622 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:37:06 +0000 lamariniere 2525622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know. I grew up in a small town and was allowed to run around the subdivision with all the other neighborhood kids when I was 7 or so. No one had parental supervision, unless it was summer and the parents just happened to be outside doing yard work or lounging or something, but not actively watching kids.</p> <p>We live in a capital city that is considered to be very safe, and I do see younger (7, 8 year-olds) at the playground by themselves, walking to school alone, etc. I don't know when I'm going to be comfortable with that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525620 Fri, 15 Apr 2016 06:30:43 +0000 looch 2525620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am letting my 5 year old drive his electric car on our front lawn. I can hear it if I have the windows open and I pop in and check on him every few minutes. I was thinking about whether or not I would feel better if there was a fence or bushes around the front of the property and I am still conflicted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525514 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 21:20:34 +0000 Corduroy 2525514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not yet but based on the neighborhood norms I would say by 4 with me monitoring (doing laundry in the garage, gardening, etc) and unsupervised (in the house, not monitoring but available) at 5. We're on a cul de sac and have made an effort to get to know our neighbors. </p> <p>There's a 3 year old in the neighborhood that runs around with just a walkie talkie. He does well for himself and recently handled a serious emergency with the walkie talkie. I was very impressed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525488 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 20:40:11 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2525488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a few minutes with my 2 year old. We don't live on a main street (the road dead ends to 5 acres that we share with DH's family), our house isn't even close to where cars drive anyway, MIL is usually within view or earshot as am I. There have been several times that I let DD1 play outside for 5 ish minutes or so "unsupervised" while I took care of something DD2 needs or grabbed something from the house. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525368 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 18:46:00 +0000 MrsB2012 2525368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not right now. Our backyard isn't the nicest, and our front yard is a complex. That's fine, but there's a busy road at the end of the driveway. Once we get a new house next year a priority is a nice fenced backyard for the purpose that they can play back there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525353 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 18:16:56 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2525353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In our fenced backyard, yes. In our front yard with the road, driveway and strangers? Lol...I say no right now, but she's only 2.5. Things might change as she gets older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525349 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 18:15:14 +0000 Cole 2525349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an 18 month old and I let her play within sight outside while we're getting ready to go places or is I am cooking dinner I might stir or something while she's outside. I can see her but I couldn't catch her if she were to fall etc. I try really hard to let her have chances to figure stuff out for herself and the opportunities are remarkably few these days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525342 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 18:08:47 +0000 petitenoisette 2525342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is so hard because I remember being a kid and I definitely was free to roam the neighborhood and play unsupervised. But to think of my daughter doing the same is hard! But I think it is absolutely vital to their development to learn to play w/o supervision and to manage risks. So I'm going to have to just let it go eventually. The other thing I worry about is judgement from other parents - it's gotten really ridiculous, like hearing about parents being arrested for letting their kids walk someplace unsupervised, etc. So that is a worry of mine as well... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525325 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:58:41 +0000 travelgirl1 2525325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure. Right now they are too young, but we are living where DH grew up, along a narrow country lane surrounded by woodland. When he was a kid, he had free reign with his siblings and they would run and playthrough the woods and fields, down by the stream, all by themselves. They had an absolutely magical childhood but I would be too terrified of strangers hiding in the woods to let my kids do that. Which is really sad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525305 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:42:55 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2525305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I sometimes go inside for a few minutes with my 1 and 3 year old outside, to use the bathroom or check on dinner or whatnot. Im never gone long and they are locked inside our fenced yard. I would definitely expect that by 5 or so i would let them play outside unsupervised in the yard, maybe sooner. We are in a safe area and i am trusting my gut on what I feel is safe. I try really hard to not let fear rule our lives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525289 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:14:48 +0000 Bao 2525289@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, they are only 2 and 3.5 and we live on a road that can get busy since it's off a main road, and yeah...no. haha </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525286 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:11:33 +0000 Torchwood 2525286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not right now! LO is 9mo. :) But eventually, sure. I don't know when that will be. I played outside alone all the time as a kid, including roaming way out of sight/hearing range. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525284 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 17:09:41 +0000 caitlanc 2525284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep! We also live in a rural area where I'm not concerned about abduction, just scorpions. Starting when LO1 was about 2 years old he would play in the backyard while I cooked dinner. It's fenced and he stayed fairly close at first so that helped me get used to it but I still peeked pretty frequently. I'm not sure how old they'll have to be before I'm ok with them really wandering! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-be-ok-with-your-kids-playing-outdoors-without-direct-supervision#post-2525273 Thu, 14 Apr 2016 16:58:49 +0000 mrbee 2525273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I moved to a remote area, where there is no real crime and the risk of an abduction of my kids is zero to none. But when I first moved here, my son went outside to play by himself and I had a hard time adjusting! What if he climbs a tree and falls? What if he steps on a nail? What if he is stung by a scorpion??</p> <p>I realized that the only way to guarantee my kids' safety is for me to always be with him and to personally vet every thing he does. But that's not how I grew up... and I'd like my kids to be independent... so I've been trying to adjust. I have been working to make the outdoor area safer (I'll pick up glass or nails that I see) and am also educating the kids on how to stay safe. And most of all, I'm trying to adapt personally.</p> <p>I still like to have the kids relatively nearby so we can hear if something bad is going on... but they are definitely more free to roam around our property (which is pretty big, so I can't always see them). For now, they just have to tell us where they are going. They love it! I love it in theory, but am still adjusting emotionally.</p> <p>Would you be ok with your kids playing outdoors without direct supervision? </p>