DD was three when I first let her out by herself. I call it semi-supervised, because I still stick my head out every now and then and I can see a large portion of the backyard from my couch. It is a very child friendly backyard. DS is 1.5yrs and is allowed outside with DD while I stay inside - but like I said I can see almost all of the yard and if DS goes around the corner and plays in the dog water (which he loves to do) or anything else naughty, DD loves to dobb him in to me
I think it depends on what your yard is like as much as anything.
We moved into a house where I let DD out in the back yard unsupervised (with an ear out for what was going on) just over 2 years ago. So she would play on her own out there from about 14 mths. She could get up and down the 2 steps without problem and the yard was fully enclosed with 6 ft high fences. There was a hazard at the back with a drop down into the neighbours yard (kind of a slope, though, for a metre) which she did get stuck down once (just before she was 2), but she yelled out for me and I rescued her! Otherwise, I would often let her go and she has proven herself pretty capable. In our new house the front yard is the playground area and I just make sure the gate is shut and padlocked. Here there are good fences and nothing that I think she could get into at all. I think she likes the opportunity to explore without me hovering. She's naturally a very capable child and aware of her own physical capacity.
I only let mine out if I can hear them. My yard is fully fenced, but I know they'll escape, or get up to mischeif of some sort... As long as I can hear them I don't feel the need to keep checking, but if they go quiet for too long I'm at a window or door.
I let mine outside (not so much lately....due to the rain....)...but i always am at the back of the house pottering around. Its not like i would go to the front of the hosue and vacumn the car or something whilst they are out the back...
In summer i tend to go out there when they are out there. We live on the back of a reserve and my fear is a brown snake or spider will slither/crawl up beside them....
Because my recently turned 3yo has an older brother (5yo) who I can trust to keep an eye on him and let me know if anything goes wrong I let them play out the back all the time... loosely supervised. However I also find it easy enough to let this happen because we have floor to ceiling windows all along the back part of the house making visibilty really good. Even sitting here at my 'pute I can see them. If I didn't have these windows I would be a bit more nervous about unsupervised play.
I've been letting mine out for ages. They're pretty noisy so I can always hear what they're up to. Mainly Yasin just rides his bike up and down the path and Imran chases him. I used to feel like I had to always be watching them but then I decided I didn't want to be a helicopter parent so now I just let them be.
My youngest DS (2) goes outside on his own all the time. Our yard is a very small courtyard and is fully fenced and escape proof so I have no worries with him being out there alone. I am usually downstairs in the kitchen, laundry or lounge room anyway which is all close to the back yard.
hmmm, well i wouldnt be able to see or hear her at all due to the set up of house and yard. so that is a bit of a worry. there isnt really anything out there that is dangerous though, we will be getting a swing and slide for her bday in a month. i will have to think about it some more, i am such a nervous nelly!
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)...but i always am at the back of the house pottering around. Its not like i would go to the front of the hosue and vacumn the car or something whilst they are out the back...
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