Am I unreasonable for not letting my child go anywhere on their own?

[pupluv45]

I watch so many murder documentaries where kids just run off to the bathroom or take a bike ride with their friends around the neighborhood then just disappear and never come home forever. So I would go to extreme limits such as dropping conversations with other parents to bring my child to the bathroom at church. I would not let my kids even ride a bike around the neighborhood unless I am watching over them. While they are playing at the playground, i can't help but look up every single minute from my phone to make sure they are still there. There are so many occasions where i have seen kids just disappear from parks while their parents are distracted on their phones. I wouldn't even let my kid go home by themselves by the time they hit 13 years old. Am I being unreasonable?

Updates

+1 y

the only time i would let my kids go outside alone is when they are at least 16. but even so, it wouldn't be a long all day trip. i just get so much paranoia. even in safe neighborhoods, there really is no guarantee that there aren't kidnappers , murderers or rapists out there

[Blackcupcake]

honestly I think it depends on where you live, because I do somewhat understand your concerns… and I can’t imagine how worried I’d be if it was my own kids.


but if you live in a “safer” area then what you can do is get phones for your kids, and allow them some freedom, but then, have them call you every few hours or something just to make sure they’re okay… but that also depends on their ages of course, the older they are, the less frequently you should check on them just to not make them feel suffocated and controlled…

[Agape93]

Yeap. You're suffocating them and that will fuck with their minds later on. Kids need to socialize, they need to be outside and do what they do. Sure there's a risk, but being at home is no guarantee either. Like a year or two ago where some nutjob shot a girls entire family and kidnapped her.

[lightbulb27]

at what age and what neighborhood.

stop watching that stuff. that said, no place is safe.

make your decisions and takes your risks. Kids need some freedom at appropriate times. they also need to know how to handle and protect themselves.

I favor being cautious as you, but not live in fear.

[Guy13]

Your kids are too young to be running around in their own SO you are not out of line for tight monitoring

[tfan1]

No I’m the same way. Overprotective? Maybe. But at least I’ll know where my kid is and that he’s safe. I do Not trust our neighborhood any further than I could throw it.

[In_Trance]

yes you are