Kids in the Driveway...

personally - I would not have my 3 year old outside without adult supervision. That's a LOT of responsibility for a 7 year old. It only takes one fall, it only takes one second, it only takes one moment to lose control and go out into the street - so no - my 3 year old would NOT be outside withOUT adult supervision.

I would NEVER put that responsibility on my 7 year old. EVER.

No, I would not. I have a 10 yr old, 7 yr old, and 3 yr old. The older two play out in the front or back yard without me, but the 3 yr old stays inside with me. I don't even trust my 10 yr old girl to watch him properly. I think it will be another year or two before I allow him out with them for even a few minutes w/out me out there too.

I would not be that's just me. I did not let my kids out unsupervised till the youngest was 7. And we have a fenced in yard. But we share if with 7 other houses. There was no chance of them going out into the street but I just don't think kids that young are responsible enough to watch themselves.

Yep! I would and I do:)

Sure. We live in a huge cul-de-sac and my kids are out there a lot, especially with the other kids in the cul-de-sac. I leave the front door and garage open.

I would not let the 3 or 4 year olds out there without you. Too much can happen in just an instant, you can't put that on a 7 year old to be constantly able to properly supervise while he is playing. IF something did happen, he would feel awful for the rest of his life.

I grew up on a small, quiet cul-de-sac like you describe, with a family of kids the same ages as yours. The youngest (3 or so) almost got hit by a car when he walked behind a neighbor pulling out of the driveway. It happened all the time. He too was supposed to be in his own driveway, but as a kid... didn't always listen.

Also, there are a lot of predators out there. We have a registered sex offender 2 houses down from us.

In situations like this I leave it up to the parents. You know your children better then anyone. I'm sure if you had a child who like to run your wouldn't do it. you would be out there.

Nope. I wouldn't let the 3 year old outside without adult supervision. The older ones, sure.

I wouldn't, J.. Your 7 year old might be very responsible, but the other kids don't answer to her and it's an awful lot of responsibility to put on her young shoulders. The little ones just aren't old enough to be trusted to not make mistakes. The fact that all the neighbors know them has nothing to do with someone hitting them if they all of a sudden darted into the street.

Sorry - that's my feeling here...

Dawn

Yes, if our daughter was in the drive way, we had the car parked at the end of the driveway blocking the street. I have 3 large windows on the front of our house, so i can see everything.

I do think there are children that need constant supervision. One of our neighbor girls always was pushing the limits.. There is NO way, she could be outside alone or with other kids, without an adult, keeping an eye on her. She is in no way a bad child, but she is a super brave and bold child.. Over confident..

I think that depends on if your street has thru traffic or not. Cars tend to go much faster on this kind of street and I would not trust young children with that. If you are in a closed neighborhood and if you have read then the riot act about going into the street then its probably ok.

No, I wouldn't.

For me, I want to be able to intervene if a stranger approached them or if they fell. Just 2 days ago, a delivery truck came up the streed, and parked at the base of the driveway to ask for directions. Totally harmless, but my 4 and 8 year old waltzed right up to the truck to see what was going on. And my kids are well taught about stranger danger. We practice "run away if a car comes up to you" - so their behavior scared me. They don't have judgment at those ages, and the older ones shouldn't be burdened with watching the little ones. It's not the 7 year old's job.

I know some people will say to relax, and danger isn't really around every corner. But I know people whose kids have been approached by teens looking to make mischief or adults who seem sketchy. When I was 11, a man approached me while I was waiting in the car and tried to open the door. We have a registered sex offender living down the street in a $1.2M house. And who knows how many unregistered/unknown. I souldn't live with myself for not making the time to be outside with my kids.

The older two, of course. I sincerely don't think a seven year old is old enough to be responsible for a 3-almost 4 year old. You say you don't always watch them, so at those points...the seven year old is the one doing that.

Not the 3.5 year old. My daughter turns four this week and we still have to watch her pretty close. She has been known to try and chase something into the street or she'll lose control of her bike or scooter and head for the road. And she's the kind of kid that will wander off if a butterfly flits past.

My son is almost 7, we do allow him to play in the yard similarly to what you are talking about. He's a bright, smart kid who follows the rules, but there is no way I'd let him assume the responsibility of his sister.

You decide-I would say no:

http://www.city-data.com/so/so-St.-Paul-Minnesota.html

I think it's fine. If you think they will ride out into the street, then I'd park the car sideways at the end of the driveway, or draw a chalk line or put up a row of plastic cones as a reminder not to go past a certain point. I think it's AWESOME that your kids are outside and active, and doing unstructured play together. My neighbor has 3 kids spaced the same as yours, and they are outside all the time rather than watching TV or video games. They know how to entertain themselves.

I'd suggest a certain word they can yell if they really need you. For example, "MOM" can mean "I'm hurt" or "Billy's fighting" or "Will you bring us some snacks".

If you're worried about child predators - I wouldn't. Some people will try to tell you that you have to be hyper-vigilant, but I think it's not a realistic risk. Kids get much more benefit from free play than most people realize, and they need a lot of outside time. So stay with it.

Only you know your kids and their ability to follow your rules. My son would have been O.K to play outside with distant supervision, but at age 3.5 my daughter would have run down the road if I let her out front to play with her brother. My daughter was always testing the limits. My son does not - So, It sounds like your kids stay in the yard and that you are keeping an eye on them - So, trust your own judgement and let them play!

My kids are 8 & 5 and I do the same thing. I just tell them they need to stay in our driveway and/or yard. I've taught them about strangers and what to do. I look out every once in a while. If I don't see them I call for them. They usually just play in our fenced in backyard with the dog.

They are in your yard? Then why can't they play outside all the time without you sitting out there with them. Most kids run amok in the neighborhood if it's a safe one that drivers don't have high speed chases through...lol.

I think they are fine out playing in their own yard.

IT all depends on the street and how much through traffic comes down the street. We are on a cul de sac so I am very cautious about the little kids when I back down my driveway or come down the street. We have only 12 houses on the street and everyone, even visitors know it's a street filled with kids and to be careful. (When my kids were young there were 8 of them within 4 years of eachother! Now there are only 4 little ones around) But if your street is really busy think about leaving your car blocking your driveway while the kids are on their scooters in hte driveway. Yeah, you might get a few scrathces on your car but your kids won't get run over. Generally as long as I can look out the window at them I'd let them play out there in the protected area. (I had moved my dining room table under the DR window so I could fold laundry & watch the kids at the same time - it worked out fine.)

You know your kids better than anyone. I'd say definitely for the older two -- best thing that could ever happen to them. With the 3 1/2 yr old (even almost 4), I personally would be nervous, but that's just me. I DO strongly support your giving your kids unsupervised, unstructured time -- your little one is just a little small to be near traffic, and your big one is a little small to be in charge. Don't give up the whole thing, though! Maybe just modify slightly somehow?

7 and 6 yr olds yes, not 4.
4 is too young to be unsupervised outside.

You know your kids and you know your neighbourhood. I know I can hear what my kids are up to in the yard when the window is open, just as I can hear what they are up to in other parts of the house even when I can't see them. Mothers are tuned to hearing what kids are doing. Kids need to be outside, and they also need to experience a little bit of age appropriate independence.

I think it's OK. My daughter just turned 4 in August and I let her play outside with my 8yr old. I keep the front door open so I can hear them if they need me. If she is out there, I look out the door more often than when she's not but I still let her go out. I also remind them that if something should go in to the street, my son has to go get and for no reason is she to do it.
I personally think it's good for kids. I love seeing kids play outside. It reminds me of my childhood : - )

No. In a better world I would but not this one. Heck this week a guy tried to abduct a 8 year old girl in a very well to do neighborhood near me using the lure that he already had his 5 year old child with him so that child should come along... Yep.... That's a new one for me. This world is too mucked up for me to feel confident doing that.