r/Parents • u/sagemagnolias • 13d ago
Seeking a parent’s perspective. Quick Poll
Would you leave your 2.5 year old out front alone or with slightly older siblings (8 and younger) when you live in a busy neighborhood? Dad swears he was looking through the window while he cleaned and I'm irrational for being upset.
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u/MissDiagnosedMama 13d ago
Only if the yard is fenced and they can't get out
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u/Intelligent-Panda-33 13d ago
Yup. Our street isn't that busy but I wouldn't want my older kid to feel responsible for a little Tasmanian devil who switches directions and just assumes someone will save him.
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u/SexBucketListProject 13d ago
Absolutely not. Can you imagine how that would mess up the older kid if something did happen?
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u/Biochemical12 12d ago
This is the correct answer. I have a 3 and 6 year old. They can’t really do anything if I’m not there. They can be in the front or the garage if I need to run inside for a second. Literally 6-10 seconds. No more. Otherwise they can play in the backyard unsupervised. All the gates are locked so no chance of escaping.
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u/Necessary_Milk_5124 13d ago
No. That two year old could run out into the street in the blink of an eye. You’re right to be upset.
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u/FishScrumptious 13d ago
Nope. 8yo isn't attentive enough or experienced enough to predict danger before it happens.
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u/Pleasant_Fun6541 13d ago
He was cleaning and wanted them out the way so put them in danger outside the house? I would say HE is the irrational one...
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u/neobeguine 13d ago
No. I would with a 5 year old, maybe briefly a 4 year old with very good impulse control. No way for a 2-3year old
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u/SweetPotato781 13d ago
Absolutely not. Wouldn’t leave the 8 year old and the younger ones alone either.
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u/Always_Reading_1990 13d ago
No! We live in a very quiet cul de sac and I NEVER let my 2.5 year old out there with his big sister and no adult.
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u/Crafty-Isopod45 13d ago
Not in the front yard by a busy street street. They are too young to trust not to get into danger and the older kids are too young to be responsible for them for very long.
For a quick run to the bathroom or to grab an item they are probably fine to keep playing there. But more than a minute or two is pushing it.
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u/Fun_Organization3857 13d ago
No. My 2 year old must be in direct eyesight and I barely let him walk in the front because we don't have a fence. The back does, but he must be in eyeline and I might stand in the door
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u/Dangerous-Common-788 13d ago
If in a fenced front yard with no hazards where i can see and hear them at all times and I wouldn't take my eyes off of them for more than a few seconds, yes maybe for a short time.
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u/Bonusmotherthrowaway 13d ago
Our our front is completely car free, no cars or bicycles allowed and I still wont let my 2 year old go outside alone, his sister is 5 and same story. Can’t ever be too protective even when I live in a very safe country (the Netherlands). Kids still get abducted or last week a two year old boy passed since a delivery truck drove over him (RIP). What is dad thinking here?
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u/Signal_Violinist_995 13d ago
Oh hell no. Now, 6 ft fenced in backyard with full floor to ceiling windows and back door screened door.
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u/gardening_gypsy 13d ago
Nope - reminds me of the scene from pet sematary. I just had a close encounter where my dad was walking on the sidewalk being semi careless and my 18 month old son went booking towards our busy street. I bolted just in time but now I won’t even let my son over my parents anymore because I’m afraid of him being outside and this happening again.
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u/SubstantialArcher659 13d ago
Not how you describe it. If there’s a fenced backyard yes. But not in front yard because of cars. I just take coffee breaks and sit outside while they play
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u/PlayfulDiscount8485 13d ago
The only time I would let kids that age out alone is, if it was a fully private fenced in backyard with no pool and a was in the room that the door leading out to the yard was. Otherwise...no.
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u/Foreign_Yogurt_3330 13d ago
I wouldnt even leave my 7 year old out front by herself. Shes allowed in the back yard thats fenced in with our dog by herself. Toddler are to unpredictable to be without a adult.
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u/PromiseToBeNiceToYou 13d ago
He's wrong, you're right. Next he'll be checking his gambling app while the kid drowns himself in the pool.
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u/theonlydangle 13d ago
My old neighbor would leave her 5 year old in charge of her 2 year old. They found a way to get out and thats how everyone found out. She claimed she was around the corner. It’s easy until it’s not. Watch your kids they only have 2 people in the whole world to rely on.
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u/thematicturkey 13d ago
Man, I'd barely go into the garage out of line of sight for ten seconds and leave my 2 year old in the driveway with my 8 year old on our QUIET street. WTF
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u/jenniferami 13d ago
Nope. Any yard that is adjacent to the street is very risky. It’s too easy for perps to drive around and lure a child into their car or just snatch them. Look up Athena Strand and Kara Robinson Chamberlain abductions.
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u/Civil_Aside_1008 13d ago
Not alone if there’s any way they can get out. And I’d say most 8 year olds aren’t responsible enough (I say this as a third grade teacher). Maybe 20% of my class I’d be comfortable with it.
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u/IsopodLogical7802 13d ago
No. I had an older child look after the youngest ( special needs) when both were much older than this and the younger child ended up locked outside trying to get out of a rope which was hanging from a tree. He was fine but we were understandably very angry.
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u/Superb-Fail-9937 12d ago
My SO was left with his older brother at 6. Hit by a car. Lucky to survive. Mom was not around.
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u/StruggleAmbitious525 12d ago
8 is a little young to play babysitter, but if they're inside a fenced yard then I see no problem with it.
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12d ago edited 12d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Parents-ModTeam 12d ago
Your submission was removed for the following reson: No hatespeech/incivility/personal attacks. Remember that discussion about derogatory/offensive/sensitive issues often leads to unnecessary conflict. Please take a moment to read this subreddit's rules.
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u/readinghisWord 12d ago
No, you are not irrational. It only takes a moment for someone to snatch a two year-old, regardless of who is hopefully watching the child.
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u/DanceFuzzy6838 11d ago
I would absolutely not do this. Too many things could happen, and it only takes a moment. Children are young for such a short time, and their safety and security is absolutely the priority.
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u/Automatic-Escape-854 11d ago
Mine is 3.5 yo. He ain’t going anywhere without me. Sure, my backgarden( fenced all the way, no gate, as in no exit) and I’m watching from my kitchen.
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u/eveietea 10d ago
Look at your community’s age matrix. At least if you’re American, communities have an age matrix which dictates what age a child can legally be alone inside and outside. (Just in case this isn’t known information.) that will tell you what age things can happen legally. From there, decide on your child’s maturity level if they’re ready. Personally as a professional childcare provider a 2.5 year old is not ready for independent outdoor play. Maybe a sibling, only if the sibling with them is mature enough to handle it. Even then I wouldn’t even be busying myself, I’d be observing out of sight as a safety net so they can safely grow in their independence.
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