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I'm going to bring my almost 8yr old to the park on Saturday and attempt to leave her there for an hour or so (as long as there are other kids around). She can walk home. Does it make me nervous? Heck yes, but I agree with the concept of letting our children have some independence and freedom.
As the father of an 8 year old I would NEVER bring him to a park and leave him there for an hour alone. So what if other kids are around? What if your kid gets hurt and is crying and ALONE? What if some older kids come along and start causing trouble? What if, god forbid, and adult comes with really bad intentions?
Sorry, I understand your point, but I think it is crazy in this day and age. Your kid is only EIGHT!!!!!!!
Last edited by JustJulia; 05-18-2012 at 06:15 AM..
Reason: deleted personal attack
So you never played at the park when you were a kid without your parents? Never played in the neighborhood without someone watching you? The park is two blocks from our house in our small town.
Sorry, I am with the previous poster.
I would not leave an eight year old alone.
What if those "other kids" gang up on her? What if she falls off the monkey bars? What if a guy comes wanted help finding his lost puppy? What if an old lady offers her something to eat/drink?
Is she equipped to handle those (and other) scenarios?
Don't do it. If you don't have the time to stay at the park then don't take her. She's better off staying inside and watching crappy tv. If you are so busy, do what I see other parents do. Sit on a bench with your cell phone and Ipad, but at least you are present.
So you never played at the park when you were a kid without your parents? Never played in the neighborhood without someone watching you? The park is two blocks from our house in our small town.
Watch Nancy Grace one of these days. It will scare the hell out of you. Even small towns are not always safe.
I'm going to bring my almost 8yr old to the park on Saturday and attempt to leave her there for an hour or so (as long as there are other kids around). She can walk home. Does it make me nervous? Heck yes, but I agree with the concept of letting our children have some independence and freedom.
I think encouraging children to be independent is a great gift. This event taking place for the third year, and guess what, no injuries or abductions. If parents choose not to allow their children to participate, then so be it. But if parents choose to participate, leave them be.
So you never played at the park when you were a kid without your parents? Never played in the neighborhood without someone watching you? The park is two blocks from our house in our small town.
Hey, you asked for opinions and I gave you mine. Don't jump down my throat with those questions. Times are much different since we were kids. It is unfortuante but a fact.
Go ahead, drop your kid off for an hour and don't think twice about it. You are wonderful. (Is that better?)
Great idea, in concept, but the fact that the article is available online makes it a stupid idea. Every jerk in the country with internet access now knows there is a campaign to allow unsupervised kids a chance to play without parents around this Saturday.
I might still be tempted, but I would sit in my car, with a pair of binoculars trained on my child.
Hey, you asked for opinions and I gave you mine. Don't jump down my throat with those questions. Times are much different since we were kids. It is unfortuante but a fact.
Go ahead, drop your kid off for an hour and don't think twice about it. You are wonderful. (Is that better?)
Crime rates are significantly lower than when we were kids. That is a fact.
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