One friend said that after reading about historical rates of parental supervision, she’d take her preschooler to the park and say, “Have fun, I’ll be over here reading my book.” I also try to channel the older laid-back approach to supervision of outdoor play.
But you can’t create the social environment that existed when all the kids had less supervision. This isn’t just the “someone will call the police” fear; it’s more prosaic too. At some point other parents will view you as suspect and won’t let their kids play with yours, which defeats some of the purpose.
The main thing, for me, is not that other parents will view us as suspect, but just that other kids are less likely to be there. My kids don’t want to just go out and run around because the other kids aren’t out there to run around with.
This depends a lot on where you are. If our kids go over to the neighborhood park on a nice day there’s a better than even chance that one of their friends are there.
The main thing, for me, is not that other parents will view us as suspect, but just that other kids are less likely to be there. My kids don’t want to just go out and run around because the other kids aren’t out there to run around with.
This depends a lot on where you are. If our kids go over to the neighborhood park on a nice day there’s a better than even chance that one of their friends are there.
They’ll also go over an knock on friends doors.