Hi to all you other parents.My son is now 10 and for the last 6 months or so he has been allowed to go about 200 yards along to our local park if he is with his 2 friends from along the street, and meets up with other class mates for a game of footie. I call him on his mobile when it's time to come back or have a walk along to see what he's up to, (and sometimes just because our younger daughter wants to go along too)
Recently some of his friends have been wanting him to go a further a field, their parents seem cool about this, but I haven't been too comfortable about it, and therefore, have refused. He is feeling resentful as he is "'losing his friends" and I've tried explaining why I don't want him to.
He is a sensible lad and often comes back home from the park with his mates to play in our garden or his X box.
I'm just wondering at what age would other parents think it's reasonable to let their children play out which is further from home. We live in a nice area and I'm not entirely sure what my anxities are based on really, other than pressure form his dad and grandparents about where he is going. He's my eldest so, uncertain ground for me, I want to give him the freedom and let him hang with his friends some of the time, but not suffocate him with unreasonable maternal instincts.
Have you any advice ?
My son is now 18 and joined the army, all turned out well.
