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I have a 14 month old. When we go to the park, I let her run all over the place and try my best to get away from her and sit on a bench where I can see her, but let her play solo. I say try because she's a bit clingy right now.

I think any age is an okay age to let them play alone, as long as it's safe. I will help her if she tries to get on the slide or tries to climb something she is too little to figure out how to get down from.

I think it's just a difference in parenting/nannying preferences. I prefer to let them have their wings and figure things out as long as they're being safe. Some parents like to be there to make sure they're not getting hurt. I'm trying to see the benefits of both sides. I'm sorry if you feel judged for the way you're letting the baby play. How old is your charge?

Our park is open which scares me a bit more and there aren't benches really close to the playground area.

If she is on the little kid equipment which I know she can safely do then I just stand to the side and let her play. If she goes onto the big equipment I still follow her.

I think by age 4-5 they are pretty good to run free.

I never knew this was something to be judged on? I actually often see nannies ignoring the kids and talking on their phones. Now that bothers me, not hovering caregivers or caregivers who let kids play independently if they are being watched.

I let my son take the lead, if he wants me to play with him, I go. If he finds a friend, I let them go off together.

To me it would depend on the park and LO. The 2 parks we go to have gates, but very often older kids and sometimes parents leave it open. When my LO is in the toddler/baby area I follow her around but at a distance. She's 16 months and thinks she can stand at the top of the slide and jump off. We dealt with a 6-year-old bully whose caregiver let her roam around for 20 minutes
terrorizing toddlers and babies. I'm fine with parents/caregivers letting their kids play independently if they are actually watching them, especially when they are toddlers. There have been quite a few incidents where something has happened and I have looked for a child's parent or caregiver and no one seems to be around.

I follow DD but I keep a little distance at times. She's almost 15 months and gets hurt easily. I played and followed DS until he was about 4, I still play with him but he wants to play with kids his age more. I only judge parents and caregivers who play on their phone or talk to friends instead of watch their children.

Read this article the other day & thought it was really interesting. They touched on independent play.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3202328

LO is 2 and I will let him play independently to the extent that he'll let me, especially on equipment he's familiar with. He's also very cautious. But I always have an eye on him.