We’re at the age now where Miss Frugal would rather be out playing with her friends than spending time in the house with us – we’re boring apparently! The only problem is that all of her friends live in the street behind ours and although it’s actually much safer for her to play there as it’s a quiet little cul-de-sac, I hate not being able to see her and the fact that she’s not within shouting distance (and I can shout VERY loudly). She has a watch but never remembers to look at it and is always losing it so here’s my solution:
I’ve given her a stopwatch that she has to wear round her neck and she has to come home over half an hour to let me know that she’s OK. She rolls her eyes everytime I tell her to put it on and always tells me that none of her friends have to keep coming home and to be fair, she’s right. When all the kids play round in our street or house, they stay for hours without having to go back home to check in, which makes me think I may be going slightly over the top with my rules but I’m a natural worrier and I hate not knowing that she’s safe. I’m really trying not to let her know how worried I get when she’s playing out and I can’t see her as I don’t want to pass my worries on to her but I’m struggling at the minute because she wants to play out all the time….
Am I being too over protective?
Discover more from The Diary of a Frugal Family
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
thats a good idea Attila. It's a very hard question. Mine want to walk to school on their own but not yet……..
It is a really good idea isn\’t it… We have the walking to school issue to look forward to x
I don't know if you are being over protective but could you gradually increase the time on the stop watch; an extra five minutes each time tomorrow if she comes home promptly each time it goes off today? And maybe set a maximum time limit or she'll be so good you'll never see her again until she's 20!? That's my bright idea; do you think I can train my cat to do it, too?
I think that’s a briliant idea – I can break myself in gently then can’t I? Thanks very much x
I have similar worries. My eldest two have a mobile phone and if I haven't seen them for a little while and am getting worried I call them. I also like knowing they can call me if there is a problem and they feel cool amongst their friends having it 🙂
I bought Bethan a mobile for the same reason but she keeps leaving it lying around or doesn\’t answer it which makes me worry even more lol. That remonds me, I want to buy her some shorts with pockets in so she\’s got somewhere to put her phone when she goes out.
Good to see you x x