letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

do you let your 3yo play in the backyard "alone" if you could hear and see them from inside while you were doing something else like cooking or folding laundry.

Backyard is completely fenced in - but the doors aren't padlocked shut.

Message edited 8/6/2011 8:41:58 AM.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

As long as there wasnt a pool I would....

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

I would not.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

No, I wouldn't. I'm just now starting to let my 5 year old do this.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

I absolutely would. If its all safe and you have your eyes on them AND its fenced in - why not? (I have padlocks on my fence though, basically to keep people out.) how is it any different than being inside? Its most likely MORE child proofed! LOL

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Depends.. on the 3yo (like is he going to be destroying the fence to get out), what else is in the backyard (safety), how well its fenced in, and how clear my view is from inside, is there a clear easy path for me to run to him if anything, and what I'm doing I don't want to be too engrossed in anything, not to be able to sprint after him if anything.


I would let my 17m old play on the balcony in our condo. I use to sit with him when he was there, but he's sort of developed a pattern of exploration, there is nothing there he can climb, there is no real danger to himself, but if he throws overboard something heavy someone else might get hurt. So I really have to watch for that.

In my wildest imagination I cannot even fathom anything else happening and we have an open floor plan and big glass doors so I can see hear, and run to him if needed. I will let him be out there for 10 minutes at a time alone. Then I'll check up, and do 10 more minutes. I'm thinking of letting it go 20 minutes soon. He does really well out there.

IDK, am I wrong?

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Most likely not. My DD is 2 but I can't imagine at 3 I would trust her alone.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

yes, i do.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Yes, I would and I have...and my yard isn't fenced in!

Actually, just last year I started letting my girls play outside without me right there...they were 3 and 4. My kitchen is at the back of the house with a French door to the yard. Between that and the windows open I can see and hear everything provided I stay in there.

They know the rules not to leave the yard...stay in the driveway only as far as the car is, etc. Never had one problem and not worried about one either.

This year I've gotten so bold as to actually use the bathroom while they're out there!

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

No, I'm just too neurotic for that. My DD is 4 years old, and very responsible/mature, she wouldn't get into any trouble. But I am neurotic about someone snatching her...that's my worry.

I really can't imagine what age I'll be comfortable with this...but again, I'm neurotic. And we have a nice fenced in back yard.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Yep....my son isn't 3 yet and I would do this.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

I leave him in the backyard briefly to go make sandwiches for lunch or get drinks for us, things like that. Our kitchen overlooks the backyard though, so I can also see what he's doing. He is pretty good about staying put, but if he wasn't, I wouldn't do this at all.

But even so, I am just not comfortable leaving him out there alone for any significant period of time or where I can't see/hear him.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

I would.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

yes i would and i have....i am in the kitchen normally and can see her from the window. i also leave the patio door open a bit and she walks in and out to talk to me.
my yard is fenced in and she plays on her playset and with her toys. shes not out there for hours on end by herself, but 10-15min yes (if she lasts that long, normally she wants me out to show me something!)

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

As long as it is fenced in, yes.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

yes..for a short amount of time..

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

No, not at 3.

Re: letting 3yo play in the backyard alone

Too neurotic- I couldn't do it and my yard is fenced in.