Harmless Fun Or Poor Parenting? Thoughts???

[Melissa...]

My neighbors have a one year old, a three year old, and a nine year old. I always see the nine year old in charge of all of the children outside. She pulls the little ones in a wagon around the block, and I never see an adult anywhere in sight. They're outside by themselves a lot too.

I realize I'm a bit of a protective parent. I always sit outside with my little ones, and I like to take walks WITH them. I know all parents aren't like me, but seeing these kids alone just kind of bugs me.

I just keep picturing the one year old standing up in the wagon and falling out on the sidewalk or wondering into the road. I know it's a small town, but someone could easy drive by, scoop up this baby, and no one would be the wiser. What are your thoughts? Am I being silly, or should these kids have a parent around.

[Kool_Aide]

Where I live that just wouldn't work. I'm in a big city though. There are lots of cars, events going on and it's just too big of a risk.

[aprilsalcro]

This. There is all ways going to be someone who thinks just because you (everyone in general ) wouldn't do it make the other parent a bad mom or dad

Quoting LoriLou75:

I don't think it is "poor parenting", just different from your parenting.

[AmyG1976]

its only harmless and okay and fun until it turns into a tragity then I get called to save someone to help find them and well then I report to dcp then well I get them lol. I am an EMT a required DCFS reported and a lic foster parent. DONT HAVE KIDS IF YOU CANT WATCH THEM. your not overprotecting or not allowing them to grow up or whatever sorry excuse ppl have for not watching there kids. your only a kid once

[terramarie]

I agree. I grew up in a small town and my parents allowed my siblings and I to go where ever we wanted. The population was 3200 and everyone knew everyone. We were always running all over but we had to be in by dark.

Quoting OWings5:

I think you're being a bit over the top but I also grew up in a small town and would let my kids ride their bikes to the creek or library if they wanted to. Small towns are sheltered enough, sheltering a child in a small town is almost handicapping them.

[LoriLou75]

I don't see how the parents could be in trouble for this. Does this mean anyone that hires a teen to babysit is endangering their child? That's crazy

Quoting MrsImperfect:

I have an 11 yr old 9 yr old and a 18 m old and they sometimes wantto take the baby outside and I say hell no. If you want to okay with her outside I will take her out and there's no way in hell they will be taking her around the block either.
There was an incident here a few yrs ago where a couple of teens had a 1yr old with them and a car crashed into a tree and a branch fell and killed the baby. The parents were in alot of trouble and ppl questioned why the teens had the baby and not the parents (they weren't babysitting just walking around with it)

[FL2AK]

Quoting LoriLou75:

I don't think it is "poor parenting", just different from your parenting.

[Gabbysmom715]

I wouldn't let my kids do it where we live. But I could see if I lived in a very very small town I may let them outside by them selves (while I watch from the window)

[CJsMommy622]

I personally know someone who was randomly abducted and killed when I was 11 from a small town where "everyone knew each other". I get so annoyed when I hear people use that as an excuse as to why they let their young children outside by themselves!!!

[FL2AK]

If we all lived our lives by that way of thinking though we would all be in plastic bubbles and would never leave our homes. People die in car accidents, but we still drive. People have slipped in the shower and died, but we still shower.

Quoting CJsMommy622:

I personally know someone who was randomly abducted and killed when I was 11 from a small town where "everyone knew each other". I get so annoyed when I hear people use that as an excuse as to why they let their young children outside by themselves!!!

[nocalmegan]

I was 9 watching my 4 and 5 year old brother and sister while my parents worked. I think one is to young but the three and nine year old is fine.