Do your kids play out?

[sillywoman]

In our road all the kids play out every evening. The girls all giggle together and the boys play football or chase. It's really good to see and has helped foster a very strong community sense. Some of the kids are quite young (approx 4,5 or 6) but they all have a great time and the age groups mix well. Does anyone else have this in their street? Personally I find it very refreshing in these times of gated 'safe' communities and isolated kids on computers, but anecdotally I hear that some people don't want to let their kids out until they're in their teens? What's it like round you - are we alone in this in East Dulwich?

[Nero]

I have no children, but the children near me at Goodrich play football and the like on the streets. It's quite quiet after a certain time, so they're safe from the traffic. I don't see any others, apart from some skater-boys on Friern Road. I agree it's good for them to go outside and play. I used to do it all the time in Stockport, where the streets had no cars. Out at 9 back at 9 in the summer, or later. Ah, cherryade, jubblies, kick the can, popping tar bubbles....Nero

[Asset]

kids play out round my way, but that might be your way too as you don't say where you are sillywoman.

[fractionater]

Some pesky Kids were throwing stones on Friday...one hit my Car window and Smashed it! Luckily the Dulwich Community Warden was around and left a note on my car...the kids did a runner though.....probably some runts from Peckham!

[Keef]

It is good to hear that people are letting their kids play out. I used to play out all the time around Whateley/Ulverscroft Roads, and it was great!

[sillywoman]

Yeah Asset - your way is my way (if you see what I mean?). Just wondering whether kids played out elsewhere in ED & whether we had any hard core, 'over my dead body - it's much too dangerous' types out there?

[downsouth]

Yes me.

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

And me

[Asset]

Now what?

[SeanMacGabhann]

If I was a gambling man I would have guessed the people on here who are "yes" and "no"

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

I'm not sure if Barry Road is a good street for a kickabout.

[Asset]

Depends what you're kicking

[downsouth]

Emoticon :))

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

  Quote

Depends what you're kicking

True, the glass panels of the bus stops seem to be very popular but I'm not sure if thats the "urban dream" we're alluding to.

[downsouth]

How about kicking a nasty habit?

[whirly]

Fractionater, my daughter and I saw some boys throw a stone which smashed a car window on our road on Friday night. They did look quite shocked, and then, as if by magic, two community wardens appeared! I dunno what happened after that, but one of the boys involved lives on the road....!

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

To be honest, if you're old enough to play on the streets in what is effectively inner-city London, then you're old enough to walk 10 mins to one of the local parks. Its just idleness and a lack of imagination if you ask me.

[Asset]

Not sure I agree with that. I won't let my 10 year old walk to the park alone at 6pm on an autumn evening, however I will let him kick a ball around with his mates for a while before dinner. He goes to the park with his mates at other more suitable times tho'.

[downsouth]

I'm more thinking it's dangerous. I think it's nice when you see it happen - provided it's not causing an obstruction - but not my progeny, no way.

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

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Not sure I agree with that. I won't let my 10 year old walk to the park alone at 6pm on an autumn evening, however I will let him kick a ball around with his mates for a while before dinner. He goes to the park with his mates at other more suitable times tho'.

Fair enough, I'm more scared of the automobile than the bogeyman though.

[downsouth]

A big part of it is that we don't really know our neighbours these days. If we did perhaps we'd be less fearful and there'd always be someone to 'keep an eye out' but as it is, it's a bunch of random strangers on a street.

[Asset]

yes I agree, cars are much more the threat to safety.

[Dulwich_ Park_ Fairy]

  Quote

A big part of it is that we don't really know our neighbours these days. If we did perhaps we'd be less fearful and there'd always be someone to 'keep an eye out' but as it is, it's a bunch of random strangers on a street.

I know all my neighbours for at least four doors down either side. They're all great but none of them would consider a "watchful eye" as part of they're job description.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Have to say downsouth, if you don't know your neighbours whose fault is that?

In agreement with Asset re: cars being the bigger problem

Top end of Friern Rd has a fair few lads and lasses all of whom might look like trouble to an average Daily Mail reader but have been sweet as pie as I've watched them grow from 9 to 16

[downsouth]

Mine? A few isn't enough really. There was a time when people knew folk going 20 doors down each way. One too many variables and unknowns for my liking.