Is she too young?

[MountainMamaGC]

My DD will be 3 in March. In a couple months it will be snowy. My friend an I thought it would be nice to let our girls play in the backyard, while we watched them from inside the house. They are the same age. I am wondering, is that too young to play outside with out Mama being right there. I think its fine, but I am wondering if some would find it crazy. Its a fenced yard and there is no way for them to get out.

I would like to add we live in a small isolated mountain town, so I am not worried someone would snatch her, like I would be if we lived in the city.

[mommy_to_2angels]

Honestly, if it is a safe yard and you are watching out the window. If there is no way for them to escape and someone has their eye on them at all times...it would probably be ok. Personally I am a bit paranoid and would therefore no do it. But I grew up in some scary places and I live in Florida where more children go missing that in any other state, or so I've heard anyway.

So long story shortened, go for it. Just watch them, cuz lil kids disappear in a hurry.

[EzzysMom]

I would want to be able to hear them as well as see them. So you can tell when arguements might be developing and head them off if someone might get bonked. It's not crazy, but I don't know that I'd trust my DD to do that, and she just doesn't stop talking to me anyway about stuff so she'd want be within earshot.

[Kmama2]

I let my 3 year old play in the backyard by herself. Its fenced in so she can't get anywhere and the fence is high so someone can't just jump over it. I do however usually open the window so I can hear her or keep her in my line of sight 99% of the time.
Just crack 1 window so you can hear her.

[liberal_chick]

I would have no problem with that. My ds1 and ds2 play outside alone in our fenced yard every evening. Ds1 has been playing outside alone since we moved here (he was newly 3 at the time).

[mamaofthree]

first off: if you feel comfortable with it, why does it matter what anyone else thinks. you need to do what works for your family.

second: it sounds fine to me. but then i let my kids play in all sorts of situations that others here might find questionable. lol

h

[MountainMamaGC]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

first off: if you feel comfortable with it, why does it matter what anyone else thinks. you need to do what works for your family.

second: it sounds fine to me. but then i let my kids play in all sorts of situations that others here might find questionable. lol

h

Me too. I let her jump off and climb everything when we go outside, and people are always jumping to save her. I dont think she needs saving, but then mommy guilt kicks in. I start to wonder if I should be afraid for her. lol.

[sunnygir1]

Yeah, follow your gut. I think it depends on what you are comfortable with and what your los are like. I let my dd play outside alone earlier than that. If she wanted to go off exploring without me, I'd let her (and keep her in sight and sound).

Now I let my 3.5yo and my 1yo play outside alone. I just keep the window open so I can hear and check them frequently.

[Picard]

I think it should be fine. Our DS has been playing out in the fenced-off yard by himself since he was 2 years and 3 months. I check up on him if it becomes real quiet, because it usually means he's discovering something new. We live in an urban area.