I have a dilemma going on right now under my roof. We have a little blow up pool out front. When my dd's want to go swim in it I'm right there with them. I refuse to leave them unattended as they are 5 & 3. Now they have a playhouse that dh wants in the front yard for them to play with. We have a fenced in backyard where we have our 2 dogs chained during a few hours the day, otherwise they are inside. Both dd's know how to open the gate but know it's not ok to do so.

I want the playhouse in the back on our very large deck. Because I think it'd be easier for my dd's to play with while I'm inside doing dishes or dusting, folding laundry ect...near the large kitchen window that exposes the backyard and deck. DH says it's no safer than the unfenced front yard. He feels I should be outside with my dd's 100% of the time they play. Am I just strange and the other mama's in my church family that allow their 5 & 3yo's to play in their fenced in backyards with a parents eye watching from inside??

DH says how can it be any better for the playhouse to be outback than in front? My defensive shield came up and I just assumed he expected me to watch our kids outside all day and mysteriously clean the house too...

Does anyone else let their children play outside in a fenced area with a watchful eye from inside? If not, how come? And if you would have a choice...would you have them out front or out back or doesn't matter they both are unsafe??

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Mine are 5 and 2 1/2 and no they are simply too young to be outside by themselves fenced in yard or not. You can't get to them as quickly through a door or window, I can't see in the grass area dangers they may be playing with. And there are more distraction inside where can take your mind off the kids. Telephone, and such. Maybe you can clean up before you go outside and do your other cleaning during maybe a movie time after. What did you do last year?

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

I think it really depends so much on where you live...and your own comfort levels, everyone is different.

As for them being outside in a fenced yard, with you being inside. I personally would not do that with children that young. JMO

Mine are 2.5 & 5 also. I don't leave them outside fenced or unfenced. We do not have a fence but I feel it is a false sense of security.

I try to get most of my chores done first thing in the morning while the grass is still wet and they are eating breakfast.

As far as the playhouse goes, I think your dh should put it where you want it. You are the one that has to take care of the kids all day.

I respect the opinions and comments

As far as me being inside it's looking out the window as I do my dishes or folding laundry near the backdoor on our laundry table.

I however see my dh's concern now just with the responses. Here it is VERY normal for 5 yr olds to be outside playing by themselves in their yards with a parent watching nearby.

Lastyear I was outside with them 100% of the time and I would be reading a book or doing simple yard work...However this year I have had some influences from several mama's at our church that would always do the watchful eye from inside and doing little house chores...I haven't done it yet but dh insists I don't start and by the responses what I've been doing all along is the adult thing to do!

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Happily married to my geek
Proud homeschooling, cloth diaperin, attached parenting, slinging, simplier, breastfeedin, sewing mama mades, christian and funky mama to my precious daughters and a little BOY

Where we used to live we had a big fenced back yard. I would work in the kitchen and watch the kiddos out the window all the time. I can't wait to finish our fence here so I feel more comfortable especially when my little grandson visits. I think the fenced back yard is definitley better than the front.

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~Happiness is a large family~

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

I let mine go out and play in the yard by themselves whenever they want. They know NOT to open the gate. If they through something over the fence, they come get me to go fetch it for them. I have no problems and feel quite comfortable with them out by themselves. I check on them every 10-15 minutes and, if something happens to one of them, another one comes in to get one of us.

no comment on the kids being outside alone

but I think that the house on the deck would save on trimming the weeds/grass that would grow around it if it were on the grass (less yard work for dh...LOL).

First of all, I wouldn't ever have a pool in my front yard - no matter what the size. It is simply an 'attractive nuisance' which means if any kid decides to play in the water when you're not there and something awful happens, you are responsible.

Secondly, even when 2 years old, DD went out into our backyard by herself. We live on a larger rural property and, trust me, there is plenty for her to get into if she was in the mind to. The only rule we have is she had to tell me when she was going out there. She is now 6 years old and she still tells me. Like you, I have no trouble watching her from the kitchen window while I'd doing dishes, preparing meals, doing bills, etc. A preschooler is rarely alone for long anyway. When DD was 3 years old she must have come indoors for something every minute, like clockwork.

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I used to let the girls play at that age out in the backyard but I was in the rooms where I could see and talk to them at all times (now they are old enough but I wont let them when the other is not with them they are 6 and 8 now)

It all really depends on the things that are there and the neighbors and the area you are in! we had a couple that live behind us that are there as well and they are great! but I am still at least in earshot and can talk to them if i cannot see them (most of the time) if they are in the front I need to see them still

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