Am I crazy for not letting my four-year-old go play at the park by himself?

Question

I went to the park with my kid today and this four year old showed up and he had no parents or guardians with him. I thought that he had a grandma across the street watching him but it turned out it wasn't her. I went and told the storekeeper and she said that his mom just lets him run around and at one time came looking for him at 10:00 PM!

I think this is neglect. Would you report it or stay out of it? And also what age, and please don't say four, did you let your kids go to the park alone?

Answer 1

that is insane!

Can you imagine how quick that poor baby could  get snatched up?

I think I would have to say a word or two to his guardian

4 year old alone- That's grounds for neglect!

xoxo

Meg

Answer 2

dont let him. people are stupid. thats why kids get stolen

Answer 3

OMGoodness, that is so sad.......I would immediately call the Police!

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Answer 4

that poor kid!!! He is going to get kidnapped and YES I would report it, you can do so anonymously. Kids CANNOT make good decisions at four years old or five or even six!!! I wouldn't let my kid go alone until he/she is about 11 years old and that all depends on the responsibility of the kid. Even then he/she would know all the rules and would not be there at night alone ever!!! Do what feels right to you.  

Answer 5

I live on a military base so it is incredibly safe also my daughter has gotten to the park before me several times so I know she knows her way

she turns 4 in two days and I will not let her go to the park by herself until she is at least 5 an only if it's a really safe neighborhood and only with other kids and only till a certain time (like when it starts getting dark)

Answer 6

Oh wow that's absolutely neglect, yes. I hate to think of all the dangerous things that could happen to this kid and what kind of abuse or neglect he faces at home. : (

I would report it. I won't let my children go alone to the park until they are 9 and even then it has to be with a friend and only until dinner time! Also it has to be within walking distance to the house.  

Answer 7

Report, of course!  That child is in danger.  I wouldn't let my kid at the park alone until at least 12 or 13 - because you can't trust all the weirdos out there.

Answer 8

Its not only neglect but it endangering the child. Which is probable cause to call the police. If you are really concern go there to the park every day. Watch the kid yourself. Then call 911 when the mom drops off her son. So you can see her Make sure you know how she looks like, because she could be on drugs or gods knows what she doing. While she not with him. Then once the cops get there tell them whats been going on, and that you are concern. For the little boy. The police should stay around and wait to talk to the mom and then immediately take the child. Since you can't leave your infant un attendant. For any period of time. I don't even let my nephews go out side by themselves.

Answer 9

thats way too young - I might be overprotective but I still don't let my 8 year old go to the park by herself.  I think if I saw that kid again by himself I would report it.  You never know who's watching to see if he will be at the park again by himself - there are some sickos out there.

Answer 10

I would say if I was in the park about 12 years othwise when they could drive

Answer 11

id report if i were you...and i dont have kids

Answer 12

That's terrible...I'd look into it.  I don't have kids, but with all the bad stories you hear about child abduction, it's crazy to let a 4 year old go the park alone...especially at night!

Answer 13

I would definitely report this.  Also, the next time you're at the park, I'd call the cops the moment you saw him show up at the park alone.  Just call them and say, "There is a 4 year old child at the park alone.  There are no parents in sight."  Trust me, they'll come to where you are.

We live in military housing.  There is a park caddy-corner from our house.  You'd have to cross two streets to get to it, but you can see if from our yard.  I wouldn't even dream of letting my children go to that park by themselves until they are at least 10 years old.  Even then, I'd watch them cross the street and would be in the front yard watching them while they played.  If I'm gonna do all that though, I mine as well go with them.  You know what I mean?

Answer 14

report it, and report it soon. this mom has no business having a child to be honest! this is NEGLECT!!! my kids arent old enough to go to the park by themself, and wont be until they are probably 11 or 12. when they are actually old enough to comprehend the concept of traffic, stangers and what to do in an emergency.

Answer 15

Report it. You may save his life.

Answer 16

It is neglectful. I would have called the police

Answer 17

oh my heavens no!!!!!! i have a 4 year old and i would never ever ever let him out of this house by himself if i am not with him or if i didn't have anyone i trust with him.. see people play with fire when it comes to this kind of things. letting a child unsupervised out and playing by themselves in a open place  is a prime situation for a  predator to attack..  if i saw what you saw, i would report it..  sounds like this child has a lazy and irresponsible mother who needs a huge wake up call asap...

Answer 18

REPORT IT *REPORT IT* REPORT IT*

I would let my kids go by them self about 13 i think

Answer 19

Yikes! Yes, that is absolutely neglect. I'd say if you EVER see this child alone again, immediately call the police. This boy could get hit by a car, fall off equipment and hurt himself, get lost -- or any of the worse scenarios.

In this day and age, I'd never let a child go to the park alone. As pre-teens, I might let a few of my children go together -- never alone.  

Answer 20

OMG. REPORT it, that's insane, it's not safe anywhere for ANYONE to be alone these days, but a 4yr old? that's neglect definitely. and  their mother should be charged. OMG you hear it all the time of rapes and attacks on teen girls and young children, but to purposely allow your child out alone at such a tender young age is beyond insane. We won't even let our 15,12& 5yr old out anywhere alone, NO WAY (have a 3yrd too).. If you didn't, you should of rang the police so they can come and get him and sort it out (they would have to notify children's services) and that would get the ball rolling either to make the mother wake up to herself or remove the child from her neglect and put him into a loving foster home.

AT what to go out to a park ALONE? NO AGE anymore, it's not safe anywhere for any age to be alone, not even an adult alone is safe.

Answer 21

i would report it if i were you. my parents dont let me go to the park by myself yet and im 17 almost 18

Answer 22

too young...next time call the police.