s/o to letting toddler/preschooler outside alone.

summerbrideDC · September 2009

At what age would you let a little kid play alone outside in a fenced-in backyard?

We have one at our new house, and I'd love to be able to let Ethan run around in the yard if I have to do the dishes or whatever--he would be able to get in and out himself through a sliding screen door. ?

I'm just not sure what age that would be considered appropriate. ?He's almost 3.5, and the entire yard is fenced completely in, high enough that no one would even be able to see him (I worry more about him being taken than I do about him running off--he's pretty cautious about stuff like that).?

xbrooklyngrl · September 2009

I have the same concern and have no answer since I'm paranoid and close my screen back doors when I go in the shower so no one comes in and takes my kid.

I guess if I can see her and there's no way for anyone to get in, maybeee 15? LOL

Tongue Tied

DandelionMom · September 2009

I let Gracie in our fenced yard. I keep close to the open slider so I can hear and see her the whole time. We do have loud dogs though that bark if anyone looks at our yard.

michaeltrish · September 2009

We have an 8 foot block wall that surrounds our yard so escaping is not an issue. However, black widow spiders and scorpions are, so I never leave him unattended. He's too curious.

katie277s · September 2009

At 3.5 in a fenced in yard, I would let L play outside alone. As long as I could see him, I would be fine with it.

mags2041 · September 2009

I let Luc play outside all the time when its cool enough... I can hear him and see him from the kitchen & living room. He's usually just playing in dirt (or the beach as he calls it). I've let him do this since he was about 3. We have 8' block walls all around and no way for anyone to get in from the outside and no way for him to get out.

krub · September 2009

Fenced in or not, I don't let my kids outside for long unless I can see them. I might run back in for a second, but unless I can see them they're not outside for more than a minute alone. My kids are prone to get into stuff that they shouldn't (they have a knack for finding trouble).

happy_momma · September 2009

I'd definitely be ok with that at 3.5 years...and probably would have been comfortable with it quite a bit younger than that with a sturdy fence. I'd just check on him regularly.

Dimplz · September 2009

DS plays outside alone now. Our yard is fully fenced in. We live on a quiet cul-de-sac. I can see and hear him outside as well.

ak071401 · September 2009

We have a small fenced in back yard that I can see from our dining room and kitchen and I like my ds play back there alone. He is 3. Our backyard is pretty kid proof.

JenniC1135 · September 2009

We have a pool in the backyard, so the kids never play back there alone. But our house has a huge side yard that is separately fenced - our lot is like a business envelope with our house being sort of where the return address would go. We have a big playset out there. I let the kids play out there alone as long as the dog, who barks like a maniac when someone comes near, is out there with them. I can't do it for more than a few minutes though because Adam is too much of a daredevil these days.

shopgirl78 · September 2009

I let mine go out alone but there are certain things they cannot do unless I am out there, swim and jump on the trampoline (and we have the net!!)

ETA our yard is fenced and locked. the pool we have is blow up and not filled unless they are swiming

rebelina1 · September 2009

I let DD go into the backyard and play alone - she just turned 3 in July. It is usually while I am cooking or doing dishes and I can see her from the kitchen window. It is completely fenced in and safe. She will come back in the house when she needs something.

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s/o to letting toddler/preschooler outside alone.

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