Let my 10 year old walk to the park?

[ITJunkie]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Let me preface by saying that only the parent can make this decision. However, I'd let them go together, but not alone. And I'd make sure they know what to do if any shit were to go down. All done in tactful language.

They have both been trained to kick the fvck out of any stangers that touch them and scream as loud as they can for as long as they can. And I mean actually trained.

Then you have already done what you can to arm them with what they need. Let them go together but not alone, as others have said. What does your wife say about this?

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: ITJunkie

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Let me preface by saying that only the parent can make this decision. However, I'd let them go together, but not alone. And I'd make sure they know what to do if any shit were to go down. All done in tactful language.

They have both been trained to kick the fvck out of any stangers that touch them and scream as loud as they can for as long as they can. And I mean actually trained.

Then you have already done what you can to arm them with what they need. Let them go together but not alone, as others have said. What does your wife say about this?

She wonders why I've taken so long to come round to her point of view.

 

[chuckywang]

It's Aurora! Nothing really to worry about there.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: Xavier434

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: djheater
Talk about the "pussification" of America. Do you guys realize that almost all responders have endorsed the helicopter parent model?
The world is really not that dangerous people.

Pussification of america is what came to my mind when reading this thread. People are asking on internet message boards if it's ok to send their 10 yr olds to a park by themselves. I do agree with you though, I don't think the world is anymore dangerous than when we were young. There have always been and will always be sickos. Teach your children how to deal with it and don't have them walk around bad neighborhoods by themselves, but let them live their lives too.

:thumbsup:

Life is not worth living if you are constantly afraid of everything. What people need to ask themselves more often is despite there being a risk, what is the true risk factor? It's important to be critical when thinking about this topic because you do not want to conclude that the risk factor is higher due to false fabricated paranoia that seems to run rampant these days. This country has not become THAT much more dangerous. The only major difference is that we are informed about it much more thanks to the internet.

I would suggest it's not the internet it's by far mass media outlets providing 24 hour coverage with nothing to cover. They are pushed to OVERcover anything that gets your attention like violent crime and crimes against children.

When I said internet, I mostly had news websites in mind but I agree with you all the same.

 

[Codewiz]

I walked 1 mile home everyday after school. Starting in 1st grade. I don't know what the big deal is.

 

[rezinn]

Cute kids but bad idea posting their pictures and the park you want to let them walk alone to on the internet! Oh man.

I think the world IS more dangerous now - it's more populated and you've got more sickos per square mile. I'm not sure about being overprotective though, I bet you knew some kids who weren't allowed to cross the street alone as kids.

 

[OrByte]

Ive only read a little bit of the posts.

Im in a similar situation, but we've decided against letting our kids out in the front without us being out there to watch them.

But our specific area/neighborhood is different than yours:

fast cars
lots of dogs with no leashes
lots of people walking through the area...the transit is close by
its a BUSY park
there is a creek between the house and the park, that creates a MAJOR distraction for the kids too 🙂

My point is. You don't have to just focus on sexual predators, there are a number of factors to consider when determining if your neighorhood is safe enough.

and every neighborhood is different.

You would think my neighborhood is safe...Judges, former congressmen, artists, and some highrollers live in my neighborhood. It's demographics fit the profile of a highly regarded neighborhood in Sacramento.

But it isn't kid safe that is for sure.

your intuition will tell you the right answer. Don't bother arguing with the boozo's who only care about the sexual predators...because that threat is really one of many many many out there.

edit: and oh yeah cute kids! you must be a proud daddy! 🙂

 

[jonks]

My kids, no. Your kids...are not my kids.

 

[IAteYourMother]

maybe, maybe not. Is it worth the risk?

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
It's Aurora! Nothing really to worry about there.

my sarcasm meter might be broken, but doesn't aurora have a higher crime rating than surrounding areas? IIRC the crime rate was on a decline recently though

 

[rasczak]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: rasczak
not alone

Why?

because regardless of how safe your neighborhood is, you still do not know who maybe lurking. we're not in the old days where you could leave your keys in your car and leave your front door unlocked at night. if you are gonna let your daughter roam at least give her a cell phone to be able to contact you in an emergency.

imo danger is just around the corner waiting to pounce. ask yourself this, have you given your daughter enough weapons( be it mace, self defense, garner attention by yelling kicking screaming, etc)to combat that danger? if you feel you have then more power to you.

my .02. I'm a bit jaded though since i grew up in rough neighborhoodo so i am wary of strangers and have taught my daughters such.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: rasczak

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: rasczak
not alone

Why?

because regardless of how safe your neighborhood is, you still do not know who maybe lurking. we're not in the old days where you could leave your keys in your car and leave your front door unlocked at night. if you are gonna let your daughter roam at least give her a cell phone to be able to contact you in an emergency.

imo danger is just around the corner waiting to pounce. ask yourself this, have you given your daughter enough weapons( be it mace, self defense, garner attention by yelling kicking screaming, etc)to combat that danger? if you feel you have then more power to you.

my .02. I'm a bit jaded though since i grew up in rough neighborhoodo so i am wary of strangers and have taught my daughters such.

It's actually not any different these days. It's almost exactly the same. As long as you are in a safe neighborhood then you have nothing to fear. People are just scared more because they are constantly bombarded by the media. One thing to consider is that despite how often you hear about this stuff on the news, how many times a year do you find out from someone you know personally that their kid was taken from them or hurt by a stranger? I'll bet it is quite rare if it happens at all. Personally, I have yet to meet anyone that experienced this sort of thing with their kids. The reality is far less scary than the media makes it seem.

 

[ChaoZ]

News Anchor: The study shows that the most likely abductors of children... are the parents themselves! The study reveals that nine out of every ten abduction cases are committed by the child's mother or father. The bottom line being that your children aren't safe, even from you!

 

[Gamingphreek]

Look, I'm not a father, I'm not even seeing anyone right now. I'm just a 20 year old college kid...

You are a father, so you know better than I, but aren't those kids supposed to be your pride and joy? Aren't they supposed to be the thing in this world that you love the most? Letting them do this to try and prove that this "danger" has been over hyped seems reckless.

Can you imagine what you would do if they went missing? The pain you would be in knowing that you weren't there to comfort or protect them.

My hometown, Spotsylvania VA, had three young girls abducted. My father was a Deputy at the time and spent countless hours on the investigation. The parents were absolutely distraught. These girls were more than double your girls age and you claim that your girls can handle themselves. Spotsylvania is just outside of Fredericksburg, a DC and Richmond area suburb-- not a dangerous place per se.

Even here at college, one of my best most close friends in the whole world is a girl. And I refuse to let her or any of my other friends (girls) walk back to their dorm or car. Think, these are just my friends, those girls are your daughters-- my friends are College age, your girls are not even half of that. Letting go is one thing, 6 and 10 years old is most certainly, in my mind, NOT that time.

In the end, it is your decision, but I hope and pray that you will think long and hard before letting anything like this happen, I also pray that your daughters would be safe if you should decide to let them do this...

-Kevin

 

[skulkingghost]

I would have no problems with it if they were my kids and here is why:

When I was a ten (11 years ago) I sued to walk about a quarter mile from my house to the public school down the road to play on the swings, or just go adventuring around. My parents had no problem letting us ride our bikes down paths in the woods, or just go exploring as long as we told them where we would be.

As a child I had a great sense of self worth, and independance because of it.

 

[EGGO]

Personally, not yet. At least she'd have to be with a group of friends. I'd also be sure to give her a long safety talk, holding onto her ID, making up secret words, hold a picture of her family's picture with her, a whole lot of things. The time of day, is especially big; if in the city, I'd only consider it if the crossing guards were on duty, things like that. When I was 10, I rode my bike around the neighborhood but it's a small little place. The city has more people and that could mean more untrusting people.

Personally, I would see no problem, but that's from personal experience. You have to really check out your city, yourself and make the smart decision.

 

[yllus]

I started walking by myself to school in grade two. Still alive, and in almost mint condition! I think the idea that the world is much more full of predators is mostly media hype. Violent crime figures have gone down since the 80s, not up.

I like nakedfrog's walkie-talkie idea. Maybe implement that?

 

[bGIveNs33]

Originally posted by: yllus
I started walking by myself to school in grade two. Still alive, and in almost mint condition! I think the idea that the world is much more full of predators is mostly media hype. Violent crime figures have gone down since the 80s, not up.

I like nakedfrog's walkie-talkie idea. Maybe implement that?

I love this idea as well... I wondered around when I was young, I'm still here. I think it would be a great confidence booster for her.

I also feel sorry for you when she turns the age and boys start coming around 😉 She is going to break some guys heart one day 🙂 Very cute kid.

 

[gorcorps]

Do you/they know they neighbors closer to the park at all? I suggest getting to know them if not, as it'd be reassuring to know somebody they know or trust are closeby if something DOES happen.

 

[0roo0roo]

lojack for children..
thats a million dollar idea if someone impliments it lol🙂

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: djheater

Originally posted by: DainBramaged
Let me preface by saying that only the parent can make this decision. However, I'd let them go together, but not alone. And I'd make sure they know what to do if any shit were to go down. All done in tactful language.

They have both been trained to kick the fvck out of any stangers that touch them and scream as loud as they can for as long as they can. And I mean actually trained.

This is a bad idea...seriously just about any sub 13-14 yo girl would be no problem for an average man to silence quickly.

Their best bet and a pro will tell you this too, is not to attack at all. Running and screaming would be the only option. Once they get physical the assailant will need to escalate too.

 

[alkemyst]

The OP is a very brave dude to test any viewer of this thread that no one can harm his family. There are sickos that are just looking for this type of excuse.

Most avoid conflict by staying under the radar...most get all sorts of shit heading their way when they jump out in the spotlight and dare it.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
lojack for children..
thats a million dollar idea if someone impliments it lol🙂

Already out there. The problem is that lojack allows anyone to track you.

 

[GiggleGirl]

maybe youre just a lazy dad and rather than actually getting yourself together to go the friggin park with your children and spending that quality time, youre masking it with this crap about whether or not your young child is old enough to wander a neighborhood on her own and also care for a 6 yr old. you dont let your children wander off alone. thats dangerous. sure it could be a safe neighborhood but you dont know every skeezy mother fucker that lurking about.

get your damn hand off your crotch, put your damn pants and shoes on and take your kids to the damn park

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: djheater

Don't be a 'tard. I'm asking for clarification. For sound, rational reasons. I'm a parent, I OF COURSE understand the fear and anxiety that comes from letting your children 'go'. I don't need fear mongering, or a restatement of the cultural maxim that any one under 18 is fundamentally incapable of being responsible in any capacity.

EXPLAIN YOUR POSITION!

You need to calm the fuck down and make your own damn decisions.