Comments on: Spring-time safety http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/ Parenting, Politics and News for the Perfectly Challenged Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:45:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Queen Bee http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-159265 Queen Bee Thu, 01 May 2008 21:57:43 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-159265 We have the same situation going on here. I actually get annoyed with parents who leave the responsibility on the children or the other adults in their vicinity to keep them safe. It's ridiculous! I grew up in a similar set of circumstances to Allison, but times oh have they changed. I remember when pedophiles were the exception not the rule, when it was completely natural to go into a new friends house, and when it wasn't alarming to say that a woman stopped and gave you a lollipop. We have to advocate for the safety of our children which means knowing where they are, who they are with, and what they are doing. I truly feel that tragedies can happen in all walks of life to the best families, but if you withdraw responsibility for your children's well being you have no argument if something unsavory results from your negligence. We have the same situation going on here. I actually get annoyed with parents who leave the responsibility on the children or the other adults in their vicinity to keep them safe. It’s ridiculous! I grew up in a similar set of circumstances to Allison, but times oh have they changed. I remember when pedophiles were the exception not the rule, when it was completely natural to go into a new friends house, and when it wasn’t alarming to say that a woman stopped and gave you a lollipop. We have to advocate for the safety of our children which means knowing where they are, who they are with, and what they are doing. I truly feel that tragedies can happen in all walks of life to the best families, but if you withdraw responsibility for your children’s well being you have no argument if something unsavory results from your negligence.

]]> By: Allison G http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157408 Allison G Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:31:46 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157408 I live on a busy street, so my kiddos aren't allowed out the front without a grownup, unless they're coloring with chalk right under my kitchen window on my pathway, that way I can leave the window open while I wash the dishes and hear them. But the other day, my 4 and 2 year old headed for the end of the driveway, and I swooped them up brought them inside, and punished both for not obeying. But I do let them play in our fenced, locked backyard unsupervised. Between the tattling and asking for snacks, someone is always coming in at 5 minute intervals, so I'm always in contact. But when we were kids, we had to earn our boundaries. First, we couldn't leave the front yard, then we got older and couldn't go past the neighbors on either side, then our street, etc. But by 7-8 years old, we were given money and a note, had to walk with a buddy, and told to buy cigarettes for our parents at the corner store, and candy with the change. Gee, you don't see any of THAT anymore, huh? :D I live on a busy street, so my kiddos aren’t allowed out the front without a grownup, unless they’re coloring with chalk right under my kitchen window on my pathway, that way I can leave the window open while I wash the dishes and hear them. But the other day, my 4 and 2 year old headed for the end of the driveway, and I swooped them up brought them inside, and punished both for not obeying.
But I do let them play in our fenced, locked backyard unsupervised. Between the tattling and asking for snacks, someone is always coming in at 5 minute intervals, so I’m always in contact.

But when we were kids, we had to earn our boundaries. First, we couldn’t leave the front yard, then we got older and couldn’t go past the neighbors on either side, then our street, etc.
But by 7-8 years old, we were given money and a note, had to walk with a buddy, and told to buy cigarettes for our parents at the corner store, and candy with the change. Gee, you don’t see any of THAT anymore, huh? :D

]]> By: Kristy http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157396 Kristy Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:55:28 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157396 That seems too lax to me, but it's funny because it's so opposite of what seems to be the norm around here. I let my kids play in our front yard and around the house starting pretty early, but not alone. My oldest is ten and has pretty free run of the neighborhood, but he's an extremely mature and cautious child and his freedom is directly related to his track record. With my second, who's now 6, it might be longer before he has as much. My kids are 10, 6, 5, and almost 2, and if they are all outside I will even let the youngest be on the porch or yard with just her siblings watching her, but again, that has a lot to do with my kids' pattern of behavior and the fact that my tiny house allows me to hear them and see them from any window the whole time. That seems too lax to me, but it’s funny because it’s so opposite of what seems to be the norm around here. I let my kids play in our front yard and around the house starting pretty early, but not alone. My oldest is ten and has pretty free run of the neighborhood, but he’s an extremely mature and cautious child and his freedom is directly related to his track record. With my second, who’s now 6, it might be longer before he has as much.

My kids are 10, 6, 5, and almost 2, and if they are all outside I will even let the youngest be on the porch or yard with just her siblings watching her, but again, that has a lot to do with my kids’ pattern of behavior and the fact that my tiny house allows me to hear them and see them from any window the whole time.

]]> By: Rita. http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157380 Rita. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:04:36 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157380 Well, and it should be both sides doing their duty. We live in an area just bursting with kids, so you seriously do need to creep your car along at like 2 mph when you get into the development, and I do stop the car if the kids are zig-zagging in front of me on their rollerblades/scooters/bikes. I'll give a gentle toot-toot to let them know I'm waiting for them to stop their shenanigans and let me drive past, and I don't mind being on the lookout for them. But, parents should be doing their part as well by making sure their kids are old enough and responsible enough before letting them out of their sight. Well, and it should be both sides doing their duty. We live in an area just bursting with kids, so you seriously do need to creep your car along at like 2 mph when you get into the development, and I do stop the car if the kids are zig-zagging in front of me on their rollerblades/scooters/bikes. I’ll give a gentle toot-toot to let them know I’m waiting for them to stop their shenanigans and let me drive past, and I don’t mind being on the lookout for them. But, parents should be doing their part as well by making sure their kids are old enough and responsible enough before letting them out of their sight.

]]> By: Friend http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157370 Friend Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:42:21 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157370 [quote comment="157367"]Rita, I to live in a cul-de-sac,until 2 years ago unless mine or some other neighbors grandchildren came to visit, there were no small children to close,(6-8) blocks, but we have lost 4 elderly neighbors, and now we have several children,(small ones)I was driving down the street and on the corner is several large shrubs (overgrown) as I approached the corner, ready to turn left, here comes a little 3 yr old chasing her doggie,I was terrified, my legs were shaking so bad I just sat there,but here comes the mother, she saw the whole incident, she said to the little girl "did you find your doggie" in a babified voice, and turned to leave, I said mam, I almost hit your little girl, I did not even see her come from behind those bushes, she said "well she plays there all the time ,so watch out for her"I honestly could not believe it,yes always watch out for children,dogs ,cats ect. but she just left it up to the drivers,I only hope I never come that close to a child again with my vehicle,[/quote] Grandma, I have had the same experience in my neighborhood. Lots of tots and parent's expect you to look out for them when the kids are playing in the street.... [quote comment="157367"]Rita, I to live in a cul-de-sac,until 2 years ago unless mine or some other neighbors grandchildren came to visit, there were no small children to close,(6-8) blocks, but we have lost 4 elderly neighbors, and now we have several children,(small ones)I was driving down the street and on the corner is several large shrubs (overgrown) as I approached the corner, ready to turn left, here comes a little 3 yr old chasing her doggie,I was terrified, my legs were shaking so bad I just sat there,but here comes the mother, she saw the whole incident, she said to the little girl “did you find your doggie” in a babified voice, and turned to leave, I said mam, I almost hit your little girl, I did not even see her come from behind those bushes, she said “well she plays there all the time ,so watch out for her”I honestly could not believe it,yes always watch out for children,dogs ,cats ect. but she just left it up to the drivers,I only hope I never come that close to a child again with my vehicle,[/quote]

Grandma,
I have had the same experience in my neighborhood. Lots of tots and parent’s expect you to look out for them when the kids are playing in the street….

]]> By: Grandma frm Ks. http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157367 Grandma frm Ks. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:38:26 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157367 Rita, I to live in a cul-de-sac,until 2 years ago unless mine or some other neighbors grandchildren came to visit, there were no small children to close,(6-8) blocks, but we have lost 4 elderly neighbors, and now we have several children,(small ones)I was driving down the street and on the corner is several large shrubs (overgrown) as I approached the corner, ready to turn left, here comes a little 3 yr old chasing her doggie,I was terrified, my legs were shaking so bad I just sat there,but here comes the mother, she saw the whole incident, she said to the little girl "did you find your doggie" in a babified voice, and turned to leave, I said mam, I almost hit your little girl, I did not even see her come from behind those bushes, she said "well she plays there all the time ,so watch out for her"I honestly could not believe it,yes always watch out for children,dogs ,cats ect. but she just left it up to the drivers,I only hope I never come that close to a child again with my vehicle, Rita, I to live in a cul-de-sac,until 2 years ago unless mine or some other neighbors grandchildren came to visit, there were no small children to close,(6-8) blocks, but we have lost 4 elderly neighbors, and now we have several children,(small ones)I was driving down the street and on the corner is several large shrubs (overgrown) as I approached the corner, ready to turn left, here comes a little 3 yr old chasing her doggie,I was terrified, my legs were shaking so bad I just sat there,but here comes the mother, she saw the whole incident, she said to the little girl “did you find your doggie” in a babified voice, and turned to leave, I said mam, I almost hit your little girl, I did not even see her come from behind those bushes, she said “well she plays there all the time ,so watch out for her”I honestly could not believe it,yes always watch out for children,dogs ,cats ect. but she just left it up to the drivers,I only hope I never come that close to a child again with my vehicle,

]]> By: Rita. http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157345 Rita. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:44:42 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/04/22/spring-time-safety/#comment-157345 I don't consider myself a helicopter parent, but I do think that there is some common sense missing with these parents. We live on a cul-de-sac in a very quiet neighborhood in a very safe suburb and I was appalled when we first moved here with the lack of supervision some of the neighborhood kids had. I'm still more protective of them than a lot of our neighbors. They earn freedom from me in increments. And even then they're tied to me via cell phone and strict timelines. I will say that I've almost hit a couple of those other kids with my car, and it wasn't even that I almost hit THEM. Twice, I've had a kid run into my STOPPED car on their bike or scooter. I see the kids being careless and I literally stop my vehicle in the road because they are not looking where they're going and they're going to get hit, and then they run right into my stationary vehicle and go *bam*. It's terrifying. I don’t consider myself a helicopter parent, but I do think that there is some common sense missing with these parents.

We live on a cul-de-sac in a very quiet neighborhood in a very safe suburb and I was appalled when we first moved here with the lack of supervision some of the neighborhood kids had. I’m still more protective of them than a lot of our neighbors. They earn freedom from me in increments. And even then they’re tied to me via cell phone and strict timelines.

I will say that I’ve almost hit a couple of those other kids with my car, and it wasn’t even that I almost hit THEM. Twice, I’ve had a kid run into my STOPPED car on their bike or scooter. I see the kids being careless and I literally stop my vehicle in the road because they are not looking where they’re going and they’re going to get hit, and then they run right into my stationary vehicle and go *bam*. It’s terrifying.

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