- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
D.C. Area Babies
kastle
member
s/o tv poll
kastle
member
So, going off the TV poll (let's assume your kid has a least a mild interest in the following):
-will you let them play video games? if yes, at what age & for how long?
-will you let them play contact sports (like, football or rugby or cheerleading w/ all those flips & throwing in the air & stuff)? if yes, what age?
-will you let them play outside alone? If yes, what age? And what time will they have to be inside by?
-will you let them walk to school? If yes, what age?
-will you let them walk to _____ (neighborhood friend's house, local ice cream shop/7-11/other store, library or anything else near you). If yes, what age & how far away can the destination be?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: s/o tv poll
Oh wow. I can't wait to see the answers on these...so interesting!
Video games: Hopefully never. I have never owned any kind of gaming system and I have no desire to have one. I'm willing to consider it for DS, but he'd have to be pretty old...like middle school or older.
Contact sports: I have a feeling my tank of a son is destined for football or rugby. Maybe middle school?
Play outside alone: I really have no idea. Assuming we have a house with a fenced in back yard when the time comes, maybe I'd let him outside alone at like 8 or 9? He'd have to be inside as soon as the sun starts going down.
Walk to school alone: Another hard one! I remember doing this in elementary school, but it all depends on how far it is and what the route is like. I'm going to say middle school.
Walk to friend's house/library/etc: Probably the same as walking to school...late elementary school/middle school.
Oooh, these are all good.
Video games: Yes. DH has an Xbox (well, it broke recently, but I assume he'll replace it), so it would seem a little hypocritical not to. But I'd try to stay away from the more violent games. I think it will have to be a privilege that they earn, and I'd try to limit it (maybe 1/2 hour a day?) but I have no idea. I'm hoping to wait until he's a teenager, honestly. Although maybe letting him play with something like a DS when he's younger.
Contact sports: Actually DH has been veering away from that lately. He played football growing up and now thinking about J doing it he's really reluctant. I'd try to steer them to something a little less concussion-happy, like baseball or even soccer. For girls, I think the risk is a little lower.
Play outside alone: In our (currently nonexistent) backyard? Yes. Assuming I can keep an eye on them, I think 3-4. They'll have to be in for dinner/dark, whichever comes first.
Walk to school: Depending on where we live, probably yes. Where we live right now (TKPK), a lot of kids work to school and there are crossing guards are everywhere, so I would feel pretty safe letting him do that.
Walk to ___: Again, depends on the neighborhood. Around here, maybe, but not until they were a lot older. Pre-teenish? Ugh, it makes me nervous thinking about it. But I would want them to have a little freedom and responsibility. I think I'd be more likely to let them go to a friend's house (where I could call and check) than 7-11 or something. Vagrants, man, vagrants.
TTC #2: BFP 12/17/11, m/c 1/7/12 and D&C 1/12/12
baby blog/cooking blog
--Video games: I let him play a couple of very basic counting games on my iPad now, so I suspect he'll end up trying out video games in a few years. When he is allowed to play video games, he'll play only in the living room, and I will keep an eye on the content of the games and will limit the time spent playing.
--Contact sports: Maybe. I won't encourage him to play something like football, but with uncles who played in high school and still play on weekends and a father who is an enthusiastic fan of the game, the idea is likely to come into his head. He'll have to persuade me that it's something he really wants to do.
Play outside alone: Yes, at some point in our yard. The timing will depend on when I feel like I can trust him not to try to wander off. Considering that he still tries to open the gate and leave the yard when I'm out there with him, I don't see myself letting him play outside without an adult for several years. (In contrast, I remember playing outside and walking up and down our street as early as four.)
Walk to school: Probably yes, eventually, but I'm not sure what age. The streets between us and the public school he might attend have a lot of parked cars, and I'd have to trust that he would be really, really careful crossing the street.
--Walk to neighbors, stores, etc.: If I get comfortable with him walking to school, I'd probably be comfortable with him walking to stores in the neighborhood because they're closer than the school. I'd probably let him walk to neighbors' houses first, but it would depend on which streets he'd have to cross.
DS already plays in the backyard alone if I'm downstairs. We have a fenced backyard with locked gates.We've discussed it, and they can play outside alone out front at around 6ish. -will you let them walk to school? If yes, what age?No, the school is too far and they need to take the bus. DH will probably accompany them to the bus stop for the first few years of school though. -will you let them walk to _____ (neighborhood friend's house, local ice cream shop/7-11/other store, library or anything else near you). If yes, what age & how far away can the destination be?Friend's house starting at around 6ish, if it's within a few blocks of our house. 8 or 9 for somewhere that they'd need to ride a bike, like the pool.
These issues come up for discussion in our house a lot...
Video Games: DH loves video games but it has been a rule since DS was born that he only plays when he is asleep. Ideally I'd like to say video games only on the weekend for 30 mintues at a time and something totally non-violent like Tetris or Dr. Mario (I don't know, do they still have those?!?). I teach first grade and I'd say that would be around the age (6) I'd be okay with this...then just seeing how it goes and moving from there.
-Contact sports: Yes, if they have an interest I won't stop this one, I'll just cringe a lot and hide my eyes!
-Play outside alone: Not for a LONG time. If we have a fully fenced yard with a taller fence, 6?
-Walk to school: We aren't zoned for this, but if we were, 4th grade with others, never alone.
-will you let them walk to _____: Honestly, I'm not into them walking by themselves um, ever. If the friend was in the cul-de-sac, that would be one thing, but further than that, middle school?
I'm a worry wart. And grew up in an area that was not the greatest, so I think I tend to worry more, even though we're in a fine area now. Poor kid.
-will you let them play video games? if yes, at what age & for how long?
They both have Leapsters now which they are only allowed to use on long car rides. They have played Wii games at my parent's house and at other friends' houses and have enjoyed it. DH has a Playstation so I probably won't be able to get away with banning them altogether but I don't want them playing violent games. Maybe late elementary school and no more than 30 minutes a day.
-will you let them play contact sports (like, football or rugby or cheerleading w/ all those flips & throwing in the air & stuff)? if yes, what age?
I played rugby in college so I can't be too hypocritical. Around here we have flag football for the little kids which I think is fine. DS is pretty small for his age and DH is only 5'7 so I'm hoping that maybe that will deter him. I'm hoping he'll want to do baseball or soccer instead. I don't really want DD doing cheerleading because it is super expensive and not the safest sport but I guess I couldn't ban her from trying out for a middle school or high school team.
-will you let them play outside alone? If yes, what age? And what time will they have to be inside by?
I would trust DD (age 5) to play outside with one of her friends now. Our yard is fenced in and the locks on our gates are too high for a child to reach. I wouldn't want her wandering the neighborhood like some of the older kids do but I think she's mature enough to stay safe in our backyard.
-will you let them walk to school? If yes, what age?
It's not an option in our neighborhood but if it was, probably not until middle school
-will you let them walk to _____ (neighborhood friend's house, local ice cream shop/7-11/other store, library or anything else near you). If yes, what age & how far away can the destination be? I would probably let them walk to a neighbors house by late elementary school. Everywhere else would require walking on a major roadway so never!
DD1 9.24.06
DS 7.1.08
twins due 9.7.11 lost twin A at
DD2 4.7.12
-will you let them play video games? if yes, at what age & for how long?
I have no problem with video games. I consider them to be on the same level as TV. I'd let him play age-appropriate games whenever he shows interest, but I'd limit it to 30 minutes/day or during car rides.
-will you let them play contact sports (like, football or rugby or cheerleading w/ all those flips & throwing in the air & stuff)? if yes, what age?
Yes, but he'd have to convince me that he has a real interest in it and that he will be safe. I don't know what age those sports start... middle school?
-will you let them play outside alone? If yes, what age? And what time will they have to be inside by?
We don't have a fenced yard, but if I could trust him to stay in our yard and not wander, I'd let him play alone outside. I don't know what age that will be. Our house is fairly close to a busy street, so I wouldn't let him wander around the neighborhood until much later. He'd have to be home for dinner.
-will you let them walk to school? If yes, what age?
If we still live in our current house, I'd let him walk to middle school. We're close enough to the school that I think it would be ok. I'd prefer if he'd walk with friends instead of by himself.
-will you let them walk to _____ .
I'd let him walk to a friend's house in our neighborhood starting around age 7 or 8. Anywhere else would involve walking along busy streets, so that wouldn't be allowed until much later.
Video games: I don't think we'll putting a starting age on this. DD will start computer class in preschool next year and I imagine we'll let her play some limited age appropriate games for limited amounts of time. I loved playing Atari and Nintendo in elementary school. They were my entre into computers.
Contact sports: I really hope my son wants to play soccer but if he prefers something else, we'll be supportive. I just live in hope though that football will be flag through middle school by then.
Play outside: perhaps I am a terrible mom but I let DD play in her sandbox while I am making dinner. I can see her through the window and she never strays from the lure of messiness. As to playing outside when I am not watching, I don't know. I would think by 4 she might be responsible enough.
Walk to school: I don't know about this. We're less than a mile and there are no busy roads, maybe in third grade. My mom drove me every day, we lived too far to walk so I am not used to this option.
Other destinations: I think third grade again for grocery store/7-11, as to friends it depends on where they live, in the subdivision maybe 2nd grade, within a block or two, kindergarten. Although I think I was walking over to my friends houses in preschool.
-video games: i'm hoping this will never happen. my husband isn't interested in them & neither am i so there's not a gaming system in our house. i'd probably push off getting one until 6th grade though. i'd probably allow educational computer games earlier. No more than 30 minutes at a time though
-ugh, i don't know. i'm a worry wart & am hoping sprout will go for crew at the appropriate age. team sport w/out any sort of contact? yes please!!! He has really good balance & if his build turns out like his dad, he'd be perfect for crew.
- outside alone- this will ultimately depend on maturity level, but i'm going to say 4 or 5. our yard is fenced in & we're on a side street w/out car traffic.
- walk to school: middle school.
- walk to neighborhood friend's house: probably 4 or 5. there's a little boy the same age as Sprout just a few houses away.
- walk to local stuff: more like 8,9 or 10. will depend on maturity.
(Stoopid Bump...)
-will you let them play video games? if yes, at what age & for how long?
Yes, I think so. We have a Wii but don't play it very often. DH plays video games on his computer though, so somewhere along the way DD will be exposed to them. What age? Maybe 4? Depends on the game.
-will you let them play contact sports (like, football or rugby or cheerleading w/ all those flips & throwing in the air & stuff)? if yes, what age?
I hope she won't even be interested and we won't have to have the conversation. Cheerleading with all the flips in the air and stuff scares me! I want her to play sports, but maybe something less "contact-y"
-will you let them play outside alone? If yes, what age? And what time will they have to be inside by?
We have a fenced backyard, so probably 4-5 years old. Obv, I would be watching her out the window every few minutes. I wouldn't let her play in the front yard alone until she's much older.
-will you let them walk to school? If yes, what age?
Depends on how far away it is, but regardless, I think not until middle school.
See, this is where I can see myself becoming my mother. When I think of DD walking anywhere alone (even in daylight) I start to think, "but what if someone snatches her??"
-will you let them walk to _____ (neighborhood friend's house, local ice cream shop/7-11/other store, library or anything else near you). If yes, what age & how far away can the destination be?
Maybe 10? I guess it would depend on whether I could watch her the whole way or not.
-will you let them play video games? if yes, at what age & for how long?
I'd be inclined to say no, but will probably have to compromise with moderation. DH used to be big into gaming growing up and I never was (I wasn't really allowed to play, although we did have a gaming system at one point). I just never really got into it. I have been surprised at some of the games DH likes because of all the violence and his nonchalance about it...we don't have a current gaming system now so it is not an issue at this point.
-will you let them play contact sports (like, football or rugby or cheerleading w/ all those flips & throwing in the air & stuff)? if yes, what age?
Yes, but probably start out with soccer around 4 or 5. DH coaches 12 year olds (or has the last couple of seasons). I think soccer is a great game that teaches really good life skills, really. We aren't huge football or baseball fans but I'd be more inclined to let Bambino play football than baseball....baseball is dangerous in my opinion. Heard of too many fatal injuries because of being hit with a ball at high speed.
-will you let them play outside alone? If yes, what age? And what time will they have to be inside by?
This is a tough one. Yes, eventually, but when? I don't know yet. Maybe when he's 6? I know I played outside around 4 or 5 by myself but it still makes me nervous. I just remember the Lisk/Silva case in Stafford in the mid 90's where the Silva girl was just on her front porch doing homework and someone got her. That definitely changed how my parents let me play outside alone.
-will you let them walk to school? If yes, what age?
Unfortunately DS's elementary school is not within a safe walking distance. Too much traffic between here and there and our community is not really set up for pedestrian traffic.
-will you let them walk to _____ (neighborhood friend's house, local ice cream shop/7-11/other store, library or anything else near you). If yes, what age & how far away can the destination be?
The closest he could walk to around here would a neighbor's house because of our neighborhood location. I'd say 6 again.