How much freedom for an 8 yr old?

November 21, 2009

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AUTHOR:

hansen24

DATE: 12/21/03 9:19am

SUBJECT:

How much freedom for an 8 yr old?

I guess you could call me "overprotective" in some ways. I do let my son fight his own battles, make decisions and so forth but I'm more protective on how far from the house he can play.

I don't let him go farther than I can see him from my windows. I notice that some of the other kids in our apartment complex roam the entire complex (which is very large) all day without any apparent supervision. Some are my sons age and some slightly older.

Yesterday my son's feelings were hurt when he went to play with a few of his friends and one said, "Oh, he can't play...he can only go from here to here." (making a margin of space with his hands). My son immediately came back inside because of the insensitive remark.

I tried to explain that different parents have different rules and that we watch him closely because we love him so much. He seems to understand that and accept it.

I just don't want to be too overprotective but in this day and age I certainly feel like there are too many people out there who will harm children to let them roam freely.

I would appreciate anyone's opinion on the subject. How far from home should a child be allowed to roam when playing? Am I being too overprotective?

MESSAGES

How much freedom for an 8 yr old?

hansen24

12/21/03 09:19am

Re: How much freedom for an 8 yr old?

mackswife

01/01/04 10:42am

Re: How much freedom for an 8 yr old?

SLBB

02/24/04 10:50am

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