What do you think of a 7 yo playing with a 14 yo? We're talking a child going into 3rd grade and a young man going into high school. Live across the street from eachother and they hang out together during the day. Odd, dont you think? The age difference astounds me -- that the young childs parents would allow it. Not sure if supervision is involved either. At age 14, would you want to spend your free time with someone so young?

i think it's kind of odd. it just makes me think that the 14yo could introduce so many things to a 7yo way way way before his time, kwim? i would have a hard time with that one. are the 14yo's parents around while he's hanging out with a 7 yo?

I think it's kind of odd that a 14 y/o would want to spend time with a child half his age. But perhaps there's more to the story than we know. Maybe the 7 y/o has a tough time at home and the 14 y/o is a nice guy and is acting like a big brother to him. It's really hard to say. I'd have to observe the situation and know more about the families involved before I could give an honest opinion.

I don't think I would allow that...however, when we lived back in NJ, my youngest son was 5 going on 6 and always hung around and played with my older DS's friends. The group of them all ranged in ages from 5 (my DS) to 13 (my oldest DS). The difference is that we knew the kids very well that they were with (all the fathers grew up together and always remained very good friends).

I think if the families were friends (good friends), that would be an exception...but I wouldn't let my (now 8yo) play or hang out with a 14 or 15 yo (now that we moved and do not know the families around us as well). There are just some things that the older kids know and do that are not appropriate for a younger child.

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I guess it all depends on the situation. I would be leary if the 7 y.o. was my child mainly b/c the older one has likely had more exposure to violent movies, peer pressure, maybe drugs, etc so I would want to supervise constantly. But, it could be that the older is less mature than his peers, has problems being accepted by the older kids, or just has no other friends and the neighbor boy is convenient. While it does seem a little odd, I think if I knew the chld and the family I would be okay with it as long as the child was well mannered and not introducing things into my home I didn;t want. Now, OTH, if the older was a boy and wanted to play with my 7 y.o. daughter there would be no way I'd let the 2 of them out of my sight for a second!! Definitely would not be allowing that

Well, i guess it depends on the situation. My 15yr old son takes our neighbors 11yr old son fishing alot, but that is a long story and let's just say alot of neglect is going on in that household(parent/step-parents are alcholics). So my son takes him places and spends time with him, not always alone, my dd will join them or we as a family will take him places with us too. The 11yr old, always seeks out my 15yr old to hang out with.
I guess i would be a little worried if your neighbor boy who is older is seeking out the younger one, know what i mean?

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I have a cousin that allows this. I think it's odd. There is no way I would let my young boys hang around with a teenage boy. The question that keeps ringing in my mind is, why would a teenage boy want to hang around with a 7 year old? I am a super paranoid type, but I wouldn't take any chances.

It goes both ways, the 7 yo will call the older boy, or the older boy will call the younger one to come over and play. I guess my main concern is why would he want to hang out with someone so young and what exactly are they doing, ya know. I dont think there is much supervision going on either.

At least a 15 & 11 yo are a lot closer in age -- but a 7 yo?? I dont know, just seems real weird to me and those that know about it. And groups of kids is a different story to me as well. If its a large group of different ages, that would be ok, but this is one on one, just the 2 of them.

I wouldn't like it. My BIL has this problem with him daughter and her cousin (on the other side of their family). When his daughter was 7 I was having my first DD and her cousin who was 13 told her EVERYTHING about how a baby is born and MADE!! A teenager knows too much to tell an innocent younger child -- IF the teenager is the type to do that. I don't know this boy so I don't know if he's a bad influence on the child or is a big brother type. I guess that it all depends on the kids.

Is the teen a little "slow"?? Just wondering because the reason i ask is because sometimes teens with learning disabilities or possible mental handicaps feel more comfortable with younger kids because they are less likely to be judged and they are more accepting of that person's disabilities. Know what i mean? My 11yr old dd has anxiety issues,(social anxieties included) and feels more comfortable playing with the neighborhood kids younger than her because they don't judge her and they accept her more.She's awesome with little kids.

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