Comment by jimbokun
2 days ago
No.
Absolutely, 100%, no.
A child could be playing out of sight of a parent, maybe a block away with friends, and get mildly injured in a way that requires minor treatment. Or just crying because of a negative interaction with a peer.
This DOES NOT mean children at a certain age and maturity level cannot be trusted to gain some independence and leave their parents line of sight for short but increasingly longer periods of time.
The GP comment is about a three year old. Not old enough to be playing a block away with friends.
I trusted my then-3 year old to be 250' away at the opposite end of a neighborhood park that abuts my house. Usually within eye sight but not always.
Once he reached 5 and showed they understood the boundaries and requirements, to go out there by himself.
And once he reached 6, he was trusted to look after his 4 year old brother in this space.
And these restrictions seem very strict compared to how I grew up and especially compared to how those older than me grew up. Or in some other places in the world, where e.g. in Japan it's not rare for 6 year olds to ride the subway and do errands and downright common for 7-8 year olds.
It was when I was a kid.