5 year olds outside alone together

amother

Seashell

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 12:56 pm

giftedmom wrote:

So give me a better reason than “a car can come by and snatch them”

Do you really trust the mindset of a 5 year old? Do you think their capacity for decision making is equal to a 10 or 15 year old?

It only takes 1 second to make a poor decision that can have severe consequences. Whether that be chasing after a ball, approaching a strangers car, touching an exposed wire, touching a toxic plant, or something seemingly innocuous as touching a rabid animal - 5 year olds always need supervision.

And yes, I live in the suburbs

amother

Papaya ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 12:59 pm

amother Quince wrote:

I let my 2&5 year old play outside alone all the time as long as the window or door is open. They both know the rules and scream loudly.

A 2 year old is unacceptable and extremely irresponsible. A 5 year old is really child dependent.

amother

↑ Quince ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 1:02 pm

amother Papaya wrote:

A 2 year old is unacceptable and extremely irresponsible. A 5 year old is really child dependent.

I don't leave either out alone, theyre always together and it's an almost 3 year old. She's proven herself trustworthy bH and I'm always in earshot. Interestingly the non Jewish families on the block give their kids even more freedom that I do.

amother

↑ Butterscotch ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 1:05 pm

Balls are extremely dangerous where they can go on the road.
We only allow balls (and are very on top of it!) In the backyard. Same with our neighbors. Only the older kids/teens will play ball straight up in the road. But there is slow/minimal car traffic here in those times. And they are all vigilant.
Mostly kids are riding bikes and chasing the cats, geese, woodchucks and cute bynny rabbits. Whe the bigger animals come out they all run in LOL

amother

Whitesmoke

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 1:06 pm

Front no, it's not fenced and anyone can be walking or driving past. Backyard yes. I can see them from the window and keep an eye on them, plus there's no way they can go anywhere.

amother

Jade ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 1:46 pm

I live in the suburbs. I sit on my porch while my kids go back and forth between houses. And they are pretty far apart. But I would never allow it if I was inside.

↑ giftedmom ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 1:59 pm

amother Seashell wrote:

I actually trust my five year old more in some ways than I do my ten year old. He’s innocent enough to listen to me. Ten year old boys think they’re invincible.

amother

Mimosa

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 2:31 pm

Keep a very close eye on them from the window and go out to check on them frequently. This is if they are more responsible type 5 year olds.

amother

Seablue ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 2:37 pm

Let me preface this by saying I am guilty of this too- but if you are asking the question, it means you are not fully comfortable with it, and your sixth sense is telling you “no”, but it’s really inconvenient, and you want to be comforted by a collective reassuring you that it’s ok.
When your child is old enough to be outside alone, you won’t be afraid and feel guilty and wonder if you’re doing the right thing.
Speaking from experience.

amother

Peru

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 3:14 pm

amother OP wrote:

I let my 5 year old play with our next door neighbor in front of our 2 houses. (Not beyond our two houses.).
I trust my 5 year old not to go further.
We live on a suburban street.
I felt pretty comfortable with this.

But, on friday night I started having second thoughts. And being afraid because anyone in the world could drive down our block and - stranger danger.

Not sure what to do.

Thoughts?

No, just no. It's your responsibility to watch your kids. Nothing more important.

amother

Rose

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 3:16 pm

I live in a suburb in a very close knit community. I would allow back yard only.
Front yard, no way.

amother

↑ Papaya ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 3:31 pm

amother Quince wrote:

This is no excuse. The fact that you think that a toddler is trustworthy, is just irresponsible. A 2-3 year old needs supervision, and a 5 year old watching the 2 year old, is not supervision.

amother

↑ OP ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 3:40 pm

I didn’t finish reading all response - I will, don’t worry, but I saw what “seablue” posted and I had to comment.
Yes, that makes sense. Thank you.

Ok, is backyard better? I have a fence that has a lock - but someone from outside could Chas vshalom get in. It’s a lock that can be opened by anyone (but not by 5 year olds).

Until now we haven’t played in backyard but we’re having someone come this week to make the backyard in better condition so maybe I should start that. And leave the door to the backyard open.

Cheiny ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 3:51 pm

amother Mintgreen wrote:

In my suburban neighborhood I would allow my five year old outside with a friend as long as my windows were open (so I could hear someone crying etc) and would check on them every few minutes…

And you’re comfortable you could get outside quickly enough if someone approached them with nefarious intentions, c”v, or if their ball ran into the street, or if… if… if…?

↑ Cheiny ↓

Sun, Jun 02 2024, 3:53 pm

amother Mintgreen wrote:

Just curious if all of you who are answering no live in the suburbs? My five year old would not run into the street. And if god forbid his friend would, there’s rarely traffic here and the speed limit is 20mph so it’s not a concern…. When people come from other busier areas they’re always amazed at the difference…

If you really think any five-year old, even your exceptionally bright, mature, responsible five-year old, is to be trusted to have the common sense of an older child to know how to protect their safety in every situation, all I can say is, think again.

And the motto should always be, err on the side of caution, and better safe than sorry.