Is my daughter old enough?

Question

hi! okay, heres the deal, my daughter is 7 1/2. and she loves to ride her bike, but I have a 9mth old, and so I can't take her out as often as I would like. usually, after dinner, we go for a walk, and my daughter rides her bike then. however, she likes to ride her bike during the day. we live in a quiet neighborhood, in a cauldesac, and very seldom do any cars come through that do not belong to the people who live in the cauldesac, especially during the week when they are all at work, and my daughter also knows to keep a watch out for cars. but recently we've had a new neighbor move in, and the first day..she came to tell me that my daughter was outside by herself on her bike..which I already knew, she looked at me like I was crazy, well, this has turned into an everyday thing, culmunating with her telling me today that if she found my daughter outside by herself one more time..she was going to call child services. is this possible? is this something I can get in trouble for?

Answer 1

What a nosey neighbor!!!! As long as your daughter isn't on other's property and isn't trespassing, there is no problem. Goodness, she sounds like one of those mothers who's always stuck to their child's *** about everything. Ugh. Don't worry about it.

Answer 2

I'm still young and i probably don't have much of an input but i think that she should be fine, i mean its not like you live in a bad neighborhood or anything right?! some people jsut have different opinions on this sorta stuff. my mom let me ride my bike all up and down our neighborhood when i was younger. just be safe and know where these other girls are taking her. if your neighbor comes up again just basically tell her that she has no place telling you how to raise your kid, i mean she doesn't so just ignore her.

Answer 3

Well, I know that I would let my daughter ride her bike outside in a culdesac by herself. As far as what is really legal, I don't know, and it depends on your state. I would try and find out whether you could get in trouble, and if you can't, just keep doing what you are doing and ignore that lady.

There are alot of other things you could do, why cant' you be in your yard while your daughter rides her bike, or get a baby seat for your bike and ride with her. My children are 9 years apart and these both are things that I have done, and you little one will love riding with you.

Answer 4

you can't get into trouble for that.

Answer 5

there isnt a problem with that

Answer 6

NO U CANT GET IN TROUBLE... IF U COME CHECK ON HER EVERY TEN MINUTES THAN EVERYTHING WILL BE OK BUT BE CAREFUL BECAUSE SOME PREDATORS COME AFTER LITTLE KIDS...SO BE SAFE

Answer 7

Ask her if she lost a child before or something.  She is meddling and tell her to go ahead and call CPS, they will check into and tell you it is okay.

Answer 8

I think she might be a little young but as long as you come out and check on her, and if the other girls are out then I bet she'll be fine. Just tell your daughter that if she sees the neighbor who told you that, to turn around and come home.

Answer 9

I remember riding my bike around a big loop with a friend when I was 7, granted that was almost 15 years ago but still...I don't think there is anything wrong with it...

Your neighbor should really be minding her own business, sounds like she has too much time on her hands to be spying on your daughter.

If your child is staying in the caul-de-sac I don't think that warrants neglect...if anything you might have a visit from Child Protective Services (stupid I know) and they would be able to give you a more accurate statement on what is considered safe.

7 year olds know what cars are, they know to watch our for them, most do at least. The only thing I would be concerned about now-a-day is child predators...but as long as your are continually checking on her then I don't think it's problem...if you haven't already, explain to her that she should never talk to stangers, never accept gifts, never get too close to anyone's car, etc.

Wow, that stinks, you got a bad neighbor.

Answer 10

I think it's fine. You check on your daughter frequently and as long as she's not bothering other people, I really don't know what child services would find wrong. I think the worse that could happen is that they would tell you your child may need more supervision, but I don't see it as problem.

Answer 11

I'd at least want her with a group of kids.  These days you just never know what can happen.  Maybe you can get a bike yourself and get a baby trailer to have the 9 month old in.  Or play outside with the baby when she is riding her bike.  A little outdoors time is good for everyone.

Answer 12

I think your neighbor is a nut job.  She can call child services, but they would think she is retarded.  My son is 7 and he goes out and rides his bike all the time.  He checks in with me every few minutes, or he and his friends come back to our yard to play.  I've spent a lot of time talking to him about strangers approaching him and what to do.  He knows to never go inside anyone's house, even his friends.  So we have to learn to trust what we've taught them.  It sounds like you are being very responsible.  No worries.