Do you let your kids play in the streets?

Hi mr bounce, thanks for the credit there. Actually I usually get most of my discussions when typing up a response and then think wait, this would be a discussion in itself. Over here they don't play on the streets as such but they play in the centre of the village whilst the parents sit at a cafenion or taverna and everyone knows who the children are so its safe. We don't have playdates with limited hours, often I take my son to his best friends house and his friends parents drive him home before midnight. The children keep long late hours here, especially in the summer, as its too hot to play outside until late afternoon, when the beach and the sea are the playground. So yes gameboys and computers are used at home even here, but so are books. They are just as happy with simple things though too. We were at a taverna in the mountains at the weekend and whilst we were inside enjoying the log fire my son was happy playing outside in the cold as there was a basketball hoop and ball to entertain himself with.

Hi bounce. Believe it or not my kids did play in the streets. We are in such a little town that it has always been possible to keep track of them. When my oldest kids were little we lived out in the country, but when we moved into town, my youngest son and all his buddies rode their bikes all over town. They would go to the park, play in each others yards, and they played ball in the street, no one ever bothered them and no one ever got hit by a car. Everybody knew whose kids they were and if they got a little out of hand someone let them know. They knew we parents would find out if they were up to no good..probably before they got home. I knew all of his friends' parents and we actually communicated. They always managed to forage for food at one of their houses, usually all of our houses..boys you know..They would be on the go from daylight to dark with a parent occasionaly getting a visual on them throughout the day..They are all 17 and 18 now and if you ask them, they would tell you they had a great time getting there. I use to worry they were missing something living 25 miles away from the nearest theater and 50 miles from the closest mall, now I think what they gained, from growing up like they did, more than outweighs what they missed.

We live in the apartment of a building. Therefore, we don't often go down stairs unless we want to go out. Today the crimes seem to be serious. I don't feel safe for my child to play in the streets. Just imagine the cars in the street can make me feel so worried. I love China

There was a time when drivers would drive slow on neighborhood streets and watch for kids. At the same time there were usually a mother or grandmother sitting on her stoop or watching out her window when kids were playing in the street. None of those things seem to be happening anymore. I agree that today's kids expect and get too much material things. They don't learn to appreciate anything.

Hi Bounce, I will never let my kids play in the streets. i am over protected with my kids. They're both special and every time they want to go out i am with them, my husband or our child caregiver. When we are at work, the caregiver is full time in looking after them in going to school and after school. we have a stay child caregiver. when i am home i take charge of their needs and our caregiver helps me out with the chores. i am so lucky for having a trusted caregiver. My kids are aware about the risk of going out without permission and also playing in the street is not allowed for them.

i too observe that bounce, and as you noticed children today easily get physically hurt, because they does not run often like we used to do when we were kids. probably this is the effect commercialism. the submission to game consoles and indoor games using computer and other game pads. despite the latest in technology today within our reach, i still encourage my children to play with other kids outside our house, to play the games we used to play, that involves running because i want them to have a strong bones not to mention the connectedness they establish with other kids which is also important in human relations as they grow. we were creative then, not only in play but in life as well. we used to have long patience, we used to laugh when we fall face down on earth, we used to be innovative, we quarrel but used to settle these little disputes amongst ourselves with less intervention from our parents - on the process it helps us become responsible adults. unlike today, parents handle everything, on the process allowing children to develop dependency to adults. today's trend somehow gives comforts to children and at the same time lessening their initiative, make them comfortable at home but less interactions with other people allowing them to relate less and lessening their patience. many more conflicting factors that contribute to conflicts with in. life is not easy now as we think.

I don't let my kids play in the street. Its slightly busy all the time, and there is a man that drives really fast so I worry about one of them getting hurt. I do see in some neighborhoods that some kids play ball in the streets. My oldest does skateboard.

Hi bounce. What you mentioned here when you were small is quite the same as I did as a kid. I used to play with my childhood in our lane and street for those games as we did not have fruitful toys we kids have nowadays. To make up for the loss that I did not have, I have bought a lot of toys for my son to play with ever since he was born. Those toys keep him playing in the house without playing much in the street, but once in a while.

I know what you mean! I try to encourage my half sister (who is 7) to play outside more (because she is GLUED to her new Nintendo DS that "Santa" got her), but obviously I don't mean in the street. No. Those were MY days. When I was growing up, we'd always play tennis and frisbee and volleyball in the middle of our residential street. But thinking back.. It's probably not a good idea, right? I get a little uncomfortable when I see kids running around in the street, in my neighborhood. We have some crazy drivers over here and I could imagine something horrible happening. Anyway, if I WERE a parent, I wouldn't let them play in the STREET STREET, as that's dangerous...But in the yard or at the park? Definitely!

When I was a kid my sisters, brothers and friends would play in the street. We had to watch out for the cars of the people who lived on the street but there were not to many. My son did not play in the street because we lived on a farm and the street was the highway. Where I live now the neighborhood kids are always playing games in the street. Tge street sometimes does get busy but the kids look out for each other.

Yes, I let my kids play outside. We are living in subdivision so it means less cars and still safe to play. But I will sit nearby and watch them play to make sure they are safe. I want them to enjoy playing with other kids.

My mom never allowed my baby brother to play outside especially in streets with other children. Though he is already 11 y/o, my mom still guard him whenever his outside or playing on schools where it is necessary to participate. I understand my mom because here in our place, it is so dangerous to let those children alone in the streets where the kidnapping cases are very high and they are just waiting for your child to be out of your site.

Well, for one, my daughter is still only 5, so I definitely don't let her play in the streets. She still must cross the street with us because to be honest I don't completely think she checks thoroughly before crossing . . . I simply don't trust her with that yet. Our street also happens to be where a lot of college kids park and whizz by in their cars (because we're literally next to a university and there are a couple fast food places right around the corner from us) - it's not the safest street. I don't ever see kids play on our street! But then again, our apartment complex has a long driveway which looks like a street and I do see kids play there. Oh yes, I've noticed the change! I remember seeing kids out in the street all the time when I was a kid - especially during summer, or even during the rest of the year after school / early evenings. Most of it was unsupervised play (that's why we have all these stories of getting into mischief - hee hee). I was sort of a loner . . . and I used to ride my bike or skateboard or roller skate to other neighborhoods by myself and have my own adventures at a fairly early age. Video games were furthest from my mind (especially since they weren't around!). Yep, times have sure changed!!!!

Good Morning!! Yes, i do let my kids in the streets. I do keep a wacth on my kids.

When I was a child, my brother and I were allowed to play on the street. Ours was a fairly quiet road with not much traffic. We would play cricket, football and chasey on the street. I was a bit more reluctant with letting my daughter play on the street. Although I live on a very quiet street, this is Adelaide and we dont know weho is driving around and being a weirdo. Probably at about age 5 or 6 I let her play on the street with friends. But at that asge I woulkd supervise. They rode their bikes and played ball games. The problem with streets where I live is that there are no footpaths. So I cant say stay on the footpath.

that's not safty to let the little kid play on the street actually. they may lack of the sense if they felt something that's interesting. i'd like to suggest those parents to keep your kid's hand on your hand to avoid lose your child or get him/her been harmed.

My daughter will go outside and play for hours. And yes, the kids in our neighborhood will play in the street like we own the road and I really don't feel badly about it in our situation. You see, we live on a court where literally the only traffic that we ever have on our street is that of the neighbors and all of the neighbors know that the kids play and they know that they have to proceed with caution. If, however, we lived on a through street, then the kids would not be allowed to play in the street and would instead have to spend all of their time in the back yards.

Well I don't have children, but when i was younger, me and my brother always played on the street. It was safe because it was quiet and there were no cars going by. My dad always yelled at me when i played on the street because he was worried for me. I hope this answers your question. Have great day and have loads of fun mylotting!!!!!! Punjab911

when I was a kid I used to play in street becuase all kids were out, but now I don't see that many of kids playing out side of house. If I had kids one time I wouldn't let them play out side because time changed from back than to now.

Hi bounce58 I was thinking about the same thing yesterday.My kids were outside on the driveway and i was watching over them.I won't mind my children playing with other kids as long as I know the parents because times have changed.I was thinking that when i was growing up my parents never had the time to keep an eye on me.I used to play in front of my house and then play with other street kids.But noone ever questioned me as long as I had finished my homework.But,I think that time was very safe.hardly any criminal activity.We didn't ever hear words like paedophiles etc.Every day news is full of such criminal behaviour Parents are more concerned about their kids safety and well being. I do miss those carefree days..