tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168618921375018234.post7163023967133118961..comments2023-10-18T08:48:27.087-04:00Comments on Jazzy Mama: Freedom without FearPattihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17263461916713516997noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168618921375018234.post-3729833648253256112011-11-08T14:31:37.511-05:002011-11-08T14:31:37.511-05:00In our old house, we had a fenced yard, and I woul...In our old house, we had a fenced yard, and I would let my older child play outside unattended (from age 4 through 6). My husband was really nervous about this at first, but I explained that our daughter knew what to do to keep safe and I made sure of this by asking her three questions every time she went out:<br /><br />1) Where are you going to play? (Inside the fence)<br />2) What will you do if someone comes into the yard? (Run inside and get mom)<br />3) What will you do if I call for you? (Answer back or run to the house...this one I'd added when she started thinking it was fun to give me gray hairs by hiding when I called for her)<br /><br />Our new yard isn't fenced and we're on a corner and I don't know the neighbors well yet and my 2yo runs out in the street and eats holly berries at every opportunity, so I'm more cautious about letting them play outside on their own (I'd still let my daughter but her brother always wants to go with her).<br /><br />There's a great book I read called Growing a Girl by Barbara Mackoff that has a chapter on teaching safety without teaching fear.<br /><br />And sorry for the long comment. Sleep-nursing child on my lap always makes me a bit verbose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168618921375018234.post-3879699713900879442011-11-07T10:51:15.134-05:002011-11-07T10:51:15.134-05:00i let my son play outdoors without me all the time...i let my son play outdoors without me all the time. we live in a housing complex that has a gate and there are many eyes and ears around the property so my son knows he is never "alone". if he needs help or wants company in his outdoor adventure, it is there for him. his sense of independence and self confidence has grown ten fold since our move. i think it is fantastic!Coreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04025660095334663861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1168618921375018234.post-41249107185469968822011-11-07T03:36:31.430-05:002011-11-07T03:36:31.430-05:00Great post (again!!!)
I agree that I'm comfor...Great post (again!!!)<br /><br />I agree that I'm comfortable just letting them do their thing. My kids are still young so I don't let them play out front unsupervised yet. But, I will as I observe their readiness. My two oldest enjoy riding their bikes to the corner and back, but get mad at me if I don't watch them the entire time. I know they're safe and I'm attempting to cultivate relationships with our neighbors, too.<br /><br />I like your point about the hypocrisy of asking kids to speak to strangers then telling them never to speak to strangers. It just doesn't make sense.<br /><br />Also, I understand that tragedy happens. I don't want to make fear-based decisions. It's not a way I choose to live my life. But, I don't judge anyone else who feels or parents differently, of course.Zoie @ TouchstoneZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08688056216105729821noreply@blogger.com