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Child at park alone - how old before allowed?

*Scuzzlebutt**Scuzzlebutt* member
in Parenting

DD and I were at the park earlier today and there was a 3-year-old girl there playing alone (I asked her how old she was and where she lived)  She told me, "That's my house" and pointed down the block, like at least 10 houses away.  We were there for over an hour until she left, by herself, to walk home.  I couldn't believe it. 

How old is "old enough" to go to the park alone??  This really shocked me.  Should I have called someone??  I watched her walk home and go into the house she pointed out...but still.  There are SO many lazy parents in our town...it's like they all expect their kids to take care/raise themselves. 

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Re: Child at park alone - how old before allowed?

  • amiamishamiamish
    like 8,9, or 10- maybe. IDK. totally depends on the child, but hell no to a 3 yr old.
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  • Angela814Angela814 member
    I'm thinking 8 at the earliest.
    Annalise Marie 05.29.06
    Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
    Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
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  • KrisBriMcBunnyKrisBriMcBunny member
    definitely not at 3 yrs old!  It depends on teh child but I'm thinking by 7 or 8 yrs old.
    Josh-10/1/87, Brittany 3/9/91, Mandi 7/26/92, Michelle 9/11/06 image I'M GRAPE JELLY- ALWAYS AROUND & ALWAYS THE SAME If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me. For I must be traveling on now. Because there are too many places I've got to see. -Allen Collins & Ronnie VanZant My favorite verse!
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  • *Scuzzlebutt**Scuzzlebutt* member

    imageamiamish:
    like 8,9, or 10- maybe. IDK. totally depends on the child, but hell no to a 3 yr old.

    I remember being allowed at like 10 or so, with friends my age.  Of course I know that 3 is waaaaay too young...ugh, it made me so mad.

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  • kelly&paulkelly&paul
    not that young, but I think if I were at the park and saw a 3 year old there by her/himself with no parent/guardian/babysitter anywhere in site, I would have called the police.
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  • hopefulmomhopefulmom member
    That is crazy!  Are you sure she was really only 3 or just saying that?  I would say 5 years old (since many kids that age walk to Kindergarten) but only if they are playing with other kids (not alone).
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  • *Scuzzlebutt**Scuzzlebutt* member

    imagehopefulmom:
    That is crazy!  Are you sure she was really only 3 or just saying that?  I would say 5 years old (since many kids that age walk to Kindergarten) but only if they are playing with other kids (not alone).

    I'm pretty sure she was three.  Maybe 3.5...but that is till too young.

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  • mom2onemom2one member
    like 12...not 3
    Stay at Home Mama to 3 Beautiful Children by the miracles of Birth & Adoption
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  • caitlinsmomcaitlinsmom

    I let my 5 year old play on the playground next to the ball fields when my 9 year old has a game but he's always with at least 3 or 4 older kids and always within my eyesight. 

    I would never let the go to the park if I wasn't right near there.

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  • K-I-S-S-I-N-GK-I-S-S-I-N-G member
    I would have called the police -I think that is illegal no? It certainly is horrible and neglectful in my book.
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  • MrsHadleyMrsHadley
    We live on our neighborhood park, so honestly I've let ds1 ride his bike around the park and he usually stops to go down the slide or whatever. But I'm ALWAYS outside and can see him the entire time.  Not having any supervision at all is not okay in my book, which is what it sounds like was going on.  Poor kiddo:(
    DS #1 5.5.07 DS #2 12.3.08 DD 5.21.11
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  • Temp108743750006959Temp108743750006959
    can I say never? sigh. guess not. I guess I'll know when, but def not at age 3. I would have called the fuzz.
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