I have never let the big boys play out front alone.  If they were riding their bike, I was out watching for cars.  If they were tossing the ball in the front lawn I was on the porch reading.  Or sometimes when I was tired of being outside, I would be in the front room, with the door open so I could hear them.

Well, time moves on, they grow.  Suddenly I feel ok with the big boys (age 8 and 11) being out front on their own.  I still leave the doors open so I can hear.  But I am not watching or checking that often.

When is this ok?  My neighbors have let their 6 year olds do this.  Seriously, ride their bike around the block on their own when they were 6.   That to me seems to young.  But an almost 9 year old, I feel ok with him being in front of the house.

I think I would let Devon ride around the block, but not Carson yet.  Unless they were together.  But that is a scary combination, Devon on a bike and no one watching out for collisions.  He isn’t the safest bike rider.  The coordination isn’t all there yet.

Then even CRAZIER.  I let Bryson play in the front yard with the big boys and I am inside listening.  For one thing, Bryson is REALLY good about not going in the street.  If a ball rolls out, he doesn’t even make a move for it.  He knows he can’t do it and he doesn’t try.

If the boys are playing ball or frisbee with him, I feel he is safe.  IF he was just wandering around with out something to focus on, then no way.  I would be out there too.