Would you let your three year old play out in the street?

No not at that age that is two young. I live on a military estate and my son is only just going out at the age of five. I would not have allowed this but its seems that everyone else lets there kids of similar age out to play and i did not want him watching through the window.

Stick to your guns. You and your son are very lucky to have a garden for him to play in. Hopefully you also go out together – to a park or shops or for a bus ride etc. Perhaps invite another couple of kids to play in the garden.

It is very important that young children have other young children to play. A younger brother or sister could help, but he is already three. You may be able to meet mums you get on with at play group, or kiddies sessions at the public library and then sometimes your son could play with friends you have chosen for him. Give him a good firm foundation at home but be sure that you do let him get to know some other local kids. There must be some more careful mothers like you. I agree, no child should be completely unattended these days, what with the other people and the traffic.

Source(s): Experience

OMG! let me answer that for you by saying, Not Just No, but HeLL NO! I can’t even let my kids wander { across the YARD } to go next door to Grandma’s without standing on the porch to make sure they go straight there and make it ok. Over protective? Maybe, but I know where my kids are and I know my kids are ok. I live right off the main road. We don’t have a fence and while this is a small town w/ next to Zero crime, have you ever noticed when something really bad happens it’s always in a place like I’ve just described and they always say, ” We never thought it would happen here.” Well, it does happen, everyday it happens. There’s a reason why accidents are called accidents. You don’t plan on ’em , You don’t expect ’em , they just happen. Here’s an example: My brother , 16 years old, crossing the road to Get On The School Bus, flashing lights going and all, and Still Gets Hit! Throws him for 18 feet, does a complete end-over-end flip, lands on the railroad tracks and fortunatly gets up w/out a mark on him, but before my mom can realize he’s ok, she’s already freaking out and screaming like her hair’s on fire. She’s seeing all this from the kitchen window. 16 years old and she was still watching him get on the bus. So why not make the effort to do all one can to insure that they Don’t happen. Jeez, it never fails to amaze me how people can make me mad. Crossing the road alone at 3?!? Come on! Where the hell is social services?

Good for you!

You should do what makes you feel safe – I have a four year old and she is not allowed out of the garden without me or my husband.

It isnt safe to let a child that age wander around and good for you for being a good parent. Anything could happen – 3 year olds have no road sense.

It is better to be called by the neighbours than to have to call out the police because your son has gone missing or worse!

Carry on with what you are doing.

Just because you care about your son and his well-being doesn’t mean your wrapping him in cotton wool.

My son is 8 and I have just this summer allowed him further down our road and to walk to the shop with his friends, I’m always going out to check on him.

Don’t forget a 3 year old cannot judge traffic speed and also if a stranger offered him sweets would he really say no ?

Let your neighbours talk all they like, as long as you know he is safe, that’s the main thing.

Would you be able to live with yourself if something happened to him while he was out on the street?

He’s still a baby don’t let him grow up too soon.

i agree with you totally i have a four year old boy and i dont let him out of the garden either. For 1 as you say it is a busy road and childrens little minds wonder and dont remember to look around for dangers and 2 there are a lot of not so very nice people out there i am amazed sometimes af the attiude of parents who dont seem to care if their children are running all over the place but i bet are the ones who sit and watch the news when something bad has happened to a child and condem the parents. you and your partner are only looking after your child so dont feel guilty about it feel proud cause from the sounds of it your doing a pretty good job.

i get the exactly same problem i am 24 i have three children who are 9 , 4 and 3. i don’t let them leave the garden we live on a council estate which it seems all the children run and do what ever they please . its got to the point where i actually feel guilty for not letting them out with their friends so what do you do i am very protected of them but they seem to think I’m nasty when their watching every1 else out . it makes me feel sick when i see the other kids run across a road or up the shop but that’s the way it is . i make sure they always use their manners and then when were out Ive got other kids swearing and talking to them horrible you cant win.

The thought of letting a 3yr old out unattended in the street is beyond belief!

Why don’t you invite some of the other children into the garden to play, then you can constantly supervise and your son gets to socialise.

Hey don’t listen to the idiots with the stupid answers honey! you go by your own instincts! i live in a street which is a cul de sac but with a pub at the end of it and there are people that go drink there and then screech up my street in their cars with alchohol in them! i didn’t let my daughter out to play across the street at the park which is 1 yards till i knew without a doubt that she would look before she crossed and i tell you 3 isn’t old enough to register that. so your neighbours are silly and obviously don’t realise the dangers they are putting their children in by letting them wander off at that age. you just keep you and yours safe and if they want to make fun or be mean about you then let them. they are not worth talking to if they don’t respect your decisions (and agree with them) as a parent. Please don’t ever feel bullied into ‘just letting them’ because others do! my daughter is now 12 and she still doesn’t get to wander the streets alone (she is as long as i know where she’s going, who with and can contact her) and she is happy and protected. there are other children in my area in scotland, uk. that are out till midnight sometimes! we are all different and the fact is you care about the welfare of your wee one. keep it up and let them know why you do it and you will have a healthy, well adjusted kid that understands why you are so concerned about them. hey you could always start a petition to get the streets in your estate calmed down with traffic with speed bumps etc and help every child in the neighbourhood safe… go for that and show those other moms up! keep it real (and safe) TC… (sorry it’s soooo long winded) x

You’ve got it bang on! A child of 3 has little or no road sense, and you can tell them not to speak with strangers till the cows come home & they still will. Any parent allowing a child of such a young age to play in the street is so irresponsible & just asking for trouble. With all the nutters out there these days on foot & in cars (often stolen cars) I wouldn’t let a child like that out of my sight. Take no notice of what the neighbours say or think, you do what you know is best …… you are the eyes & ears for that child & his guardian, so carry on the good work & keep guarding!