at what age would you let your child go play down the steet alone?

This is something that I struggle with. My son just turned 5, and I'm not quite ready to let him go anywhere on his own yet. When we go to the park, I don't let him out of my sight. Of course, we live in the city, which I think makes a difference. If we lived in a small town, I might feel more secure. But he is the most important person in my life and I'm not taking any chances. Maybe when he's six I'll be more willing to ease up. I want him to have his independence, but I also want him to be safe.

My daughter started playing out in the street before she was 4. However there were no busy roads and I only let her play with children that I knew. She isn't allowed to go out of a certain play area without asking me if its ok first.

I can't imagine a mother letting a four year old child run loose like that! Even if he doesn't get snatched, all sorts of other things could happen! I wouldn't let my kids go anywhere alone until they were at least 10, but that was years ago! Now my oldest grandchildren are 11 and I worry about them leaving my house by themselves, but I do because we live in a small town, not much crime, and their parents think they are old enough. One of them had gotten into the habit of going somewhere she hadn't told her parents, like a different friend's house than she was supposed to go to. We nipped that in the bud! She was grounded for quite a while and hasn't done it since that I'm aware of. There are just too many perverts out there now to let a child of any age run around without knowing where they are.

This day and age, I won't let my kids go anywhere alone for a LONG time! I don't even let my 8 year niece go to the concession stand alone while in Target or something. I can't believe this woman just lets her 4 yr old go. That is probably considered Child Endangerment or something. I mean, a kid can't even stay by themselves at home until like 9. Not sure exactly, but I know it's far from years old! LOL My kids have an eagle eye on them all the time. I am terrified of people and the sick people out there who like to get kids.

My daughter will be 6 in two days and she doesn't go anywhere alone =) I am too afraid of someone grabbing her!! I even walk her to the bus stop and it is just across the street from our house! I don't know what a good age would be....7 maybe?

Firstly, stop comparing yourself with other mothers and stop comparing your kids with other kids. Don't see what other parents near you or known to you are doing with their kids and use that as a reference. They could after all be wrong. What is practical for one person may not really be appropriate for another. I have a four year old nephew who is allowed to play with his friends, but indoors. I don't think that the streets are safe enough for children that young.

My son will be 11 on March 6th and he just goes 3 doors down to the park.....as long as my G/F is home to watch him and my 9 year old daughter goes next door......there is to much 'weird' stuff happening these days to allow them to go and I can't believe that your neighbor allows her 4 year old to do this.....

in those days ppl were not so paticular but nowadays.... ppl ponder over all these things becoz things ve changed a lot... hmmm i feel kids of age 5 can be left to play alone.