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xepherys · 01-05-2006, 09:27 AM

I was left home alone for the evening starting around 11 or so, and usually was allowed to have a friend over. I walked home from school (about 8 blocks) from around 7, but it was with friends of the same age, and we lived within a few houses of each other. We also had "safety guards" at each corner on the way home, so even though they were kids too (5th grade minimum), there was never a child-snatching issue in my neighborhood.

I agree that 5 is a bit young for even a few minutes unless they are VERY well grounded (down to Earth, no in trouble), and then maybe for 5 minutes.

I think if the kid is okay at 7 for you to go next door, they should be fine at 10 for you to go to the store.

I think Rodney's assessment of 11-12 is perfect. AS well as 15.

Here's what I don't get about the 18 category. I agree about not challenging house rules and the such, but at this point, if they don't have their shit together anyhow, college is going to be a rude awakening for you as a parent.

And this comes full circle back to 5 and 7 and 10 year olds. It's only a little bit "dependant on the kid". It's WAY more dependant on how good of a parent you are. I think I'm a good father. My 10-year-old is generally well-behaved, does his schoolwork very well and is fairly responsible. From this and other forums on the TFP, it would seem the same can be said about the parenting abilities of most fellow TFPers. But with the grotesque number of idiots kids (of all ages) running around in America today, I'd have to say that statistically, some of you have to be shitty parents, even if you don't know it. Not trying to be a dick. Maybe it's me that's the shitty parent, and I just won't know until my kids are 16 and useless or 18 and in jail. Kids are roughly 50% a product of their environment. I used to think that was bullshit. My parents smoked and drank, my dad was a serious alcoholic, in-and-out of jail. Both are under-educated machine shop worker types. I grew up to be a non-smoker (with the exception of my hookah after this last Christmas). I drink now and then but am by no means an alcoholic. I'm a white collar professional with some college (still have to nail down my degree). In essence I am the opposite of my parents in many ways. But I've recently realized that that is DUE ot my environment as a kid. Instead of falling into that pattern, I purposefully and venehemntly bucked it.

So that's my rant. Chalk this up to stupid/bad parents that have no business having children. Ever! Period!

01-05-2006, 09:27 AM	#17 (permalink)
xepherys <3 TFP Location: 17TLH2445607250	I was left home alone for the evening starting around 11 or so, and usually was allowed to have a friend over. I walked home from school (about 8 blocks) from around 7, but it was with friends of the same age, and we lived within a few houses of each other. We also had "safety guards" at each corner on the way home, so even though they were kids too (5th grade minimum), there was never a child-snatching issue in my neighborhood. I agree that 5 is a bit young for even a few minutes unless they are VERY well grounded (down to Earth, no in trouble), and then maybe for 5 minutes. I think if the kid is okay at 7 for you to go next door, they should be fine at 10 for you to go to the store. I think Rodney's assessment of 11-12 is perfect. AS well as 15. Here's what I don't get about the 18 category. I agree about not challenging house rules and the such, but at this point, if they don't have their shit together anyhow, college is going to be a rude awakening for you as a parent. And this comes full circle back to 5 and 7 and 10 year olds. It's only a little bit "dependant on the kid". It's WAY more dependant on how good of a parent you are. I think I'm a good father. My 10-year-old is generally well-behaved, does his schoolwork very well and is fairly responsible. From this and other forums on the TFP, it would seem the same can be said about the parenting abilities of most fellow TFPers. But with the grotesque number of idiots kids (of all ages) running around in America today, I'd have to say that statistically, some of you have to be shitty parents, even if you don't know it. Not trying to be a dick. Maybe it's me that's the shitty parent, and I just won't know until my kids are 16 and useless or 18 and in jail. Kids are roughly 50% a product of their environment. I used to think that was bullshit. My parents smoked and drank, my dad was a serious alcoholic, in-and-out of jail. Both are under-educated machine shop worker types. I grew up to be a non-smoker (with the exception of my hookah after this last Christmas). I drink now and then but am by no means an alcoholic. I'm a white collar professional with some college (still have to nail down my degree). In essence I am the opposite of my parents in many ways. But I've recently realized that that is DUE ot my environment as a kid. Instead of falling into that pattern, I purposefully and venehemntly bucked it. So that's my rant. Chalk this up to stupid/bad parents that have no business having children. Ever! Period!