Monday, November 23, 2009

Reader Poll - Supervising Kids

If you have a secure, fenced-in yard (and by secure I mean that the fence is sturdy and children could not get out on their own through gates or missing slats, etc. - chain link or privacy fence would probably be the most "secure") would you allow your children to play outside somewhat unattended (and by unattended I mean let them play but check on them from time to time to see how their doing)? If you don't have a fence, would you allow them to play this way if you DID have a fence?

This came up in conversation with a friend the other day, so I was wondering what others thought.

And I'm having a "Reader Poll" because a few of my bloggy friends had one and I thought it was a good idea! :o)

12 comments:

Bld424 said...

I think it depends on where you live -- neighborhood, city, etc. Where I live now... nope! Unless I was out in the yard doing gardening or my husband was in the garage with the garage door open... I would only consider letting children play in my yard without direct supervision that way. We live on a smallish corner lot in a neighborhood that is fairly new in a largish town, so that is my reasoning.

kimberly said...

I probably would let Bailee go outside by herself if I was going to be in the kitchen so that I could check on her often. I am hoping to get a fence this spring, Bailee loves being outside.

Tina said...

Nope -
no offense.
But I actually have to be outside and be able to see them - (by them, obviously only Ryan now)
I think if I had a fenced in yard in our exact location now I would eventually - but not at 3. Probably when Owen is in Kindergarten I would .... but not before then.

Nel said...

I would not... I am just a psycho mommy that won't let my kids out of my sight. No matter where I am playing. I won't even let her go outside and play by herself with her nephews!

Nel said...

Ok - I have to add that I meant I don't let her out of my sight outside or in big public places (wal mart, mall...park, stuff like that). We have never lived in a 'safe' neighborhood... you should see what's down the hill from our house :S
And after watching the special on the girl who was missing for 18 years - it doesn't bother me one bit to be over protective.

And I mean all of this in no offense to anyone! To each his own!

Jess said...

I would let them go outside as long as I could see them from in the house. I've let Alexis play right out here on our front porch without going outside with her, but she knows that she has to stay in sight. And we don't live really close to the road either. If we had a fenced in yard that was a privacy fence I would definitely let them go outside as long as I could see them from a window.

Emily said...

I don't have kids, but I'm with Mrs. Haid on this one. Totally depends on the location!

Cheryl said...

privacy fence--yes....less likely for people driving by to notice that they are out there...

chain link--maybe, depends on the place/neighborhood you live in....if it was your town, then most likely...

your kids are old enough to play on their own and i'm sure they wouldn't leave the yard, i am just cautious about others in our "not so safe" world....

are you wondering because of safety for your children from others, or safety of your children from themselves?? =)

marielamar said...

I live out in the country, away from the road and I let all 3 kids play outside "alone" all the time. I do check on them from time to time... I am one of those moms that tells them to go outside and not come back in for a while. It is good for them to be independent and learn from their own mistakes. They have plenty of appropriate things to play with and they know their boundaries - which is an important part of letting them be outside on their own... if there was more trouble to be had then I would probably stay with them.

Causey Fam said...

I would agree with other comments...a lot depends on your location and age of your children and how much you can trust your kids to stay where you ask them to stay and be able to see them from inside.

Kelley said...

Here in the middle of nowhere, a fence is needed so the kids don't get lost in the woods instead of kidnapped! :-) I let the kids play all the time if Juliet's there. She and Noah will go exploring or walk down the road and play by the creek. However, if Noah's outside without me, I always have a window open so I can hear him playing as well as see him, and I can hear and see them all the way to the creek as well... and a even a 9 year old does wonders for safety!

Unknown said...

Yes I would let them privacy or chainlinked, as long as I could see them from the window, and that answer might change if I ever had to live in a different town/neighberhood. I wouldn't send them outside and then not check on them... I would probably fold laundry or something at the kitchen table where I could see them playing, and have the windows open so that I could hear them also.

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