We used to live in a terraced house in a little village by the sea. While it was quiet and lovely there, where everyone knew each other, whose kid belonged to whom that sort, I didn’t allow little T play outside. Older kids played outside by our parking lot that was never full. While it was safe, I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of her playing outside, even though our neighbour’s child “F” who is from T’s school and is even a year younger than her once said to me “I’ll take care of her!” I actually laughed when he first announced this, looking down at little T’s gallant knight who was (then) barely taller than her.
Not that I didn’t trust him, it was mainly because of the cars. It wasn’t a busy road, but I did worry about the cars coming and going.
I want little T to have a childhood where she can roam freely without her paranoid mum breathing down her neck and I’m pleased to say that, she has that now.
We didn’t move far from that little village by the sea. In fact, you could say we’re just down the road and still live by the coast. We live in a private road where there are only three houses, including the farm that lives further down.
Now you’ll find T going up and down that private road in her scooter, along with Doc bounding up ahead of her. We also help her practice her bike up and down that road. In the summer, you’ll seldom find her inside, she’s out there in the garden jumping in her trampoline, playing with her friends. She’s also gone exploring the country lanes, although she hasn’t done this on her own yet (still too young for that), we do go with her, an excuse to walk the dog, who doesn’t even need walking all the time anymore. He actually takes himself out any time he wants.
It’s a lovely life, living in the country really. It’s as if time stands still, and nobody really worries much about tomorrow, after all it’s not here yet, is it?
Do you allow your child to play outside?
That looks a great place to ride a scooter. You can’t do it properly on pavements in the city because of all the bumps! Glad she is loving being in the country.
Yes and it’s a good street to practice riding her bike too. We got her a new one without stabilisers for her birthday. Must keep practicing!
Sounds a lovely to live. My girls are too young to play outside, bugt it’s a decision I know I will struggle with as they get older. There is no right or wrong I guess you have to do what feels right for your child and where you live. Is 16 old enough?? Ha ha X
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And here I was thinking it was 18 😉 xx
Erin will only be playing in our back garden as we live on quite a busy road
That’s definitely understandable.
I grew up in the city but my childhood holidays (in the UK at least) were always in the country and I used to love the level of freedom you got as a kid out there.
It does seem like it’s safer in the countryside. Then again, just think of that poor little girl who disappeared and was murdered. She lived in a small village in Wales 🙁
Like you, we also live in the countryside. I don’t think you’re being paranoid, just merely sensible. I don’t let my 6 year old play out of sight on his own. He’s got plenty of time tfor that when he’s older and when he’s more aware of the dangers that could be around him x
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So true. That’s what I say to T when she wants to go out on her own even in our private road.
I did not let my eldest play out either as we live in a big crescent stree and cars are always going to fast past the house. We are moving soon but we will be near a busy road next to a school. I would love to live in the countryside like you, it looks so idyllic xx
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Good luck with the move. Can’t wait to hear about it. x
It sounds like a lovely place and it’s great it’s not too far from where you were before. The fact that there’s only 3 houses is what sells me on it, I love quiet areas. It’s nice she can have freedom to play and explore now.
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It is idyllic and do love it. Even though we live in a private road, I don’t really allow her out alone, or if I do, I regularly check on her. x
My kids are just 2 so not had to deal with that really. They play in the garden.
You still have a few more years 😉
It looks a lovely place to scooter, nice and flat 🙂
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Perfect for bike riding practices too 🙂
Sounds so tranquil and idyllic. I doubt I would let my kids out to play in London, but in Paris it does seem a little safer, so I am giving them a little more independence (just a little mind!). But it’s secondary school for us next year so I am going to have to cut the ties! Enjoy the peaceful idyll.
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Oh I love Paris, I miss it every time I read your posts 🙂
I prefer private roads anyway and I don’t have kids. I think I would be the same as you and be worried about my children playing outside and be checking constantly as it’s hard to not worry about cars and the like!
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Luckily we don’t have much cars that pass through our road anymore 🙂
That sounds lovely. I’m the same with worrying. I don’t worry that paedophiles may be next door it that type of thing, but do worry about cars and the kids getting lost, etc. currently live in a built up area in a terrace fronting the road, so sotld not let the kids play out on that pavement. Should be moving soon to a less busy place, to house with a drive and front garden in a residential estate. May be more likely to let them play out there when a little older. (Lucy/R is for Hoppit)
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Good to know that you guys are moving to a less busier area. I’m sure the kids can’t wait 😉
You raised some interesting points about playing outside – it’s a tricky one isn’t it? I let my kids play outside more that they’re older, but not when they were really young. It’s nice to be able to give them a bit of freedom – like we used to have when we were kids!
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Thanks. It is indeed. I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry 😉
We are surrounded by countryside too. The children are at the age that they can go off and explore although the rule is that they cannot go alone. I grew up exploring our local woods, so I’m glad my children have the same opportunity. #CountryKids
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That’s a good rule. I think I’m going to apply that one on little T too, even though she knows it already 🙂
It’s great when you know your children have the freedom to explore the joys of nature safely isn’t it? Part of the reason we moved to Coombe Mill was to allow our kids that freedom. Little T looks like she’s having a wonderful time on her scooter in those pics and I’m sure she loves being able to explore without mum watching over her constantly.
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
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I think growing up in Coombe Mill gives you the perfect kind of childhood memories! 🙂
Oh that looks like a fab place to ride a scooter! And I just love the wellies! I wish we lived somewhere more rural – my husband and I both grew up in tiny villages, him in Canada/Denmark and me in the UK. I worry what Boo will miss out on as we live in a town. #CountryKids
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I miss living in a town or city. But admittedly love here it here too. x
It’s great that your daughter can scooter about outside. It sounds like you love in a lovely area.
My children sadly don’t have the freedom that I did as a child. I used to be out all hours and all over the village with friends but we now live on a busy road so I can’t trust my youngest out there. We do have a recreation ground about 200 yards down the road so the eldest two often head there with friends or I’ll go along when the 6yo wants to play out.
#countrykids
I wouldn’t allow T out either if we lived in a busy street. But at least you have that recreation ground nearby 🙂
I’m the same, paranoid about the kids safety everywhere I go. I wish we had more garden space.
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Glad I’m not the only one 😉
We live in a quiet street with lots of families, so my 3 get called on to play outside often.Once they were older I allowed them to venture off to the local green and public park.It gives them a bit of independence and builds trust between you and tour child.
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That is so true. Maybe when she’s older, I’ll be less paranoid 😉 Hopefully!
I wouldn’t let my daughters play on the street, as the road we are on is a cut through. There are many pluses though to where we live, so it’s a small price to pay in some respects
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I agree with you. If the positive outweighs the negative, that’s definitely true!
Looks so different from a life in London
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That is so true 🙂 Then again, you guys are lucky to have museums and the theatre at your doorstep 🙂
It is so scary letting children play outside. My hubby resisted letting our kids out the front for a long time, but I am pleased to say, they all play out the front now, enjoying their new found freedom. It does make childhood memories. #CountryKids
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It certainly does make-up a big chunk of one’s childhood 🙂 When T is older, we’ll hopefully allow her too 🙂
How lovely that you have a private road, we live in a cul de sac that is quiet so I am happy for mine to play out as long as I can see them
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A cul de sac is nice too 🙂
It is a very difficult decision to know when your child is old enough to go out on their own and be safe. But then experience comes in and they get a bit further away from home month by month.
Glad you have moved to somewhere this part of growing up can begin.
I think she’s too young to go on her own at the moment, but when she’s older I’m also hoping I’ll be less paranoid then 😉
How lovely to live out in the country and for little T to be able to enjoy playing outside so freely, riding her scooter up and down without the fear of cars. My two are too little to play outside unsupervised and we have a very busy main road near our house with a lot of lorries so the prospect of them playing out on their own terrifies me. One day I’ll have to start letting them do so but not for a while yet! #countrykids
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I wouldn’t allow T either if we lived in busy road. Understandable why you wouldn’t let your girls play out, I’d be the same!
This is why I am so happy for the space that we have at the seafront. I know its not ours but its safe for my son to run or scoot or bike. That freedom to roam is just precious! #countrykids
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I’m envious of how close you live by the seaside!