Letting Kids Play Without Supervision

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Yes, my children play without supervision, and no, there’s no need to involve the police.

As I sit on our front porch, typing away while my kids (ages 2, 4, and 6) engage in an imaginative game involving worms, a hose, and a toy wheelbarrow, I find myself running low on iced tea. Knowing I can’t concentrate without my caffeine fix, I step inside, leaving my three boys to their own devices. My yard is safely fenced, and they understand the boundaries—they stay within the yard and know not to engage with strangers. My eldest, Ben, is entrusted with ensuring that his younger siblings behave and share, especially when it comes to the hose.

So, really, there’s no reason for you to call the authorities. They’re perfectly capable of playing independently, particularly during the brief moments it takes me to brew a fresh cup of tea while keeping an occasional watch through the window.

The Value of Unsupervised Play

I firmly believe in the value of unsupervised play. In fact, I often let my kids roam freely in the backyard, where they’re aware of what’s safe and what isn’t. They know to stay away from the shed (mainly to avoid encounters with black widow spiders), refrain from throwing hard objects at one another, and only dig in designated areas. The hose is out of bounds unless I give the green light. My six-year-old is cautious of bees due to an allergy, and the children understand they must stay calm and find me immediately if he gets stung. The biggest threat outside? The pesky mosquitoes, which might carry West Nile.

Actually, the most concerning factor is the overzealous neighbor who thinks, “A child unsupervised must be in danger!” I find myself more anxious about the possibility of a police visit than my kids being outside. Even in our enclosed yard, I dread the thought of a knock on the door and the sight of a badge. I can already imagine the barrage of questions: “Why are the kids outside alone? Why aren’t they in school? Can I come in?”

Reflecting on Childhood Freedom

The truth is, kids play outside alone because that’s simply what children do. I remember fondly being pushed out the door by my grandmother, who let us explore the world around us, often with little to no supervision. By the age of seven, I was allowed to venture to the park across the street with my younger sister in tow. I was deemed mature enough to keep her safe while we enjoyed the swings and slides.

Today, however, I wouldn’t dream of letting my almost seven-year-old and nearly five-year-old go to the park alone. They typically go with me or other mothers, but they still enjoy a good amount of independence. They understand the rules: no throwing sand, no snatching toys, and no climbing too high on the playground structures. They’re perfectly fine.

Concerns About Interventions

My main worry tends to be the well-meaning individuals who see children playing alone and feel compelled to intervene. They approach my kids, who have been taught to be cautious of strangers, leaving them confused as to why an adult is engaging with them. This can often lead to unnecessary visits from law enforcement, leaving my kids too shaken to explain their playtime autonomy.

So, please, just let them be. They are safe, they know what they’re doing, and my eldest is almost seven, after all. They have far more important things to focus on than your concerns or any questions from law enforcement.

Conclusion

Children are meant to play, so let them enjoy their freedom.

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Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of allowing children to engage in unsupervised play, reflecting on personal experiences and the societal concerns that often challenge this freedom. It reassures parents that children can play safely without constant oversight, encouraging a return to the simpler times of childhood exploration.

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