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Sledding - Can you answer this question?
My wife and I had a debate earlier today. How old do your kids need to be before they can go off sledding by themselves? We have a community hill about 1/4 mile away. It's kind of a big hill as well. My kids are 9 and 7 and I say go and have a good time. My wife made me go with them. Who's right?
posted by Oneida Dispatch Blogs at
1:59 PM
4 Comments:
I think 9 and 7 are too young to go by themselves. 15 years ago....may go by themselves, but no days. Too many perverts around just waiting for their prey. I think a good age to go on your own would be 14 or 15. Unfortunately, you have to keep a short leash on your children these days. For example - Have you been in WalMart in Oneida lately? Wow! There's plenty of sex offenders walking the isles there...take a look around next time your there...it's scary what you'll notice staring at your kids. I at one time told a guy to take a picture, it would last longer....for all I know, he did. Creep! To answer your questions, 14 or 15 and carry a cell phone and they are only to go sledding and come sttraight home by X:XX time.
You present a tough one to answer as a parent, but a much easier question as a grandparent. I'm there enjoying the hill with them. It is a perfect tome to connect with grandchildren. What they love and enjoy, I love and enjoy. Buy some snow shoes, X-country skis, or skis and enjoy the snow as a family.
Go with them until they are old enough and big enough and strong enough to fight off a predator... and educated enough to recognize one. When I grew up in Oneida in the 50's and 60's, we kids would get home from school, have a snack, then run out to play until we were called in for supper. Our parents had a general idea that we were somewhere in the vicinity, but noone actually knew where. We sledded on L'Homadieu's hill and down into Dead Man's Gulch and we heard stories of hoboes coming by on the old railroad tracks, but still we had freedom and NO FEAR OF BEING SNATCHED OR MOLESTED. Having now raised seven children, I can tell you that these days you need to be on Red Alert 24/7 and YOU NEVER LET YOUR CHILDREN GO OUT OF YOUR SIGHT -- NOT EVEN FOR A MOMENT. The stakes are just too high.
I think they may be a bit young to send off on their own nowadays, although I spent plenty of time alone as a much younger kid.
If she made you go with the kids, maybe she was just looking for an excuse to get you all out of the house and enjoy some peace and quiet! :-)
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