Do you let your kids play in the front - yard?

mckayleesmom wrote: I only let the kids play in the front yard if I'm out there doing something. I m do let them play ins the sprinkler sometimes and I watch them from my window.


I ask this because Leithan thinks I should let them play out front more and I totally disagree..

The other day he told them that they could play in the front yard at their friend christophers house...He lives across the street and 2 houses down. Their house is located in a little corner, kind of like a culdasac. He told them they had to stay down there and out of the street or they would have to come back in. Smart mom here knew this wouldn't work..I gave them 1 minute before checking on them. Russell was following directions, but Mckaylee wasn't...So I made Leithan be the bad guy and make them come back home.


McKaylees friend Christopher is all over the neighborhood. He is alot bigger then her and I didn't realize till the other day that he is actually only 6 years old like herself. He rides his bike up and down the street..sometimes in the street and is just all over...I just think that is to young...Or maybe I'm just uptight.

moped replied: Well Laila no - cause she is too little.

Jack used to until our HORRIBLE neighbors, so no on him too

We have a fenced backyard

coasterqueen replied: Yes and no. It's hard to explain. Most times I do let them play in the front yard as long as I am either out there or if I am in the kitchen where I can look out the window and see them at all times. Now we live in the country and our house is off the road a bit so they have a lot of room to play up front and not be near the road - they know how far they can go before I think it's too dangerous (being close the road) BUT because our crazy neighbors across the street has a vicious roaming-free dog I'm extremely cautious. There for the longest time they played in the front yard with me just keeping an eye on them inside, but that was after we got angry at the neighbors about their dog. WELL, they must have gotten over it because now the stupid dog is running free again - free to be vicious to my husband the other night in our own garage!!!!

BAC'sMom replied: No. Our place (½ acre) is totally fenced so they play in the side and back yard. I will not even let my 13 year old leave the yard because in this day and age too much could happen.

stella6979 replied: Avery is 3 so it's obviously a no and even though we have a fenced in backyard, I don't let her out at all unless I'm out there too.

DVFlyer replied: Now that freakboy neighbor is gone, they can play out front, but only if we are out front also.

DansMom replied:
Occasionally, but not routinely. Circumstances have to be right---when there are several neighborhood kids, all known to me, some of them older and responsible, and everyone knows what everyone is doing and planning to do, I feel okay about it---but only now that he's been through first grade and is aware of his surroundings and my expectations. Still, I check on them every few minutes if I don't have a direct view. I also live in a close-knit neighborhood. We all know each other and look out for each other.

MommyToAshley replied: I don't even let Ashley out in the backyard unless I am out there too. (and we have a fenced yard) So, no way to the front yard unless either Rod or I are out with her.

PrairieMom replied: I let Ben (age 6) but he knows he is to stay in the yard, can't go to anyone else's yard, and def. never ever goes into anyone elses home. Al is to little. They both play in the back yard tho, I can see them from the kitchen so I can keep an eye on them from there.

My2Beauties replied: My kids aren't even allowed in the backyard without me but my yard isn't fenced in. They are only allowed out front if one of us is out there with them. We have some kids down the street the little girl is 6 and the boy is 11 or 12 and they ROAM the neighborhood, they are allowed to go anywhere and everywhere they please. Even the little girl.

luvmykids replied: Yes, but we also live in the country and the house and yard are a good half mile from the road, and the front and back yard combined is fenced. So they are allowed out there, otherwise it would just depend on the neighborhood and other kids.

ZandersMama replied: front yard no, we live to close to the road. backyard zander is allowed in, it is huge. i live in a duplex and there are about 14 duplexs that make a big square. all of the neighbors have kids and i have met all the parents. he knows he has to stay in my line of sight and cant go in anyones house. all the kids usually end up right beside my back door anyway because of all the toys. i rather have them all show up at my door for drinks,snacks and bathroom breaks cause then i know zander is not going anywhere else but here. zavier is not allowed out of the door without an adult. probably until he is 18

Cece00 replied: I basically never let my kids play in the front. They cant go out in the front yard w/o an adult.

We live in a quiet neighborhood, basically no other kids, and I dont want them out in the front where everyone can see them & being loud and its close to the street, so more dangerous between cars and if someone would come by looking to abduct a child, that sort of thing.

I let all 4 of them go out in the back, but I can see the kids in the backyard from almost every room in the house, its fenced in, and safer. We have a sizable yard with plenty for them to do and if the weather is good I even will open the door sometimes so the kids can just run in & out.