Hey, y'all...

..it's time to play "Ask the Internet"!!

So the Evil Genius is six-and-one-half years old. Is that old enough to play outside on his own...largely unsupervised, while parent/s are indoors?

To make it easier to answer, picture this: Our house is on a cul-de-sac, bordered by houses on either side and woods in the back. It's a large yard, with a play area in back. The street is quiet.

The Evil Genius knows and honors the rules about playing outdoors (although I'm out there with him, and that may be why) - no going into the woods without an adult, no leaving the yard, no getting into cars or walking away with anyone without asking permission from Mom or Dad first. He's generally self-sufficient when it comes to play.

He has never been allowed out on his own for more than a few minutes. Sometimes I let him go out first, then follow in five or ten minutes, but I'm watching out the door or windows. If I'm outside with him, though, I'm not getting housework, writing, or anything else done. I can get a little weeding done, if I'm so inclined, but it's bloody hot and humid out there, and I'm usually not inclined to do more than a little desultory watering and hiding in the shade dodging mosquitoes for as long as I can stand it before herding the Evil Genius back into the A/C. He doesn't notice the heat and is usually disappointed when his play time is cut short because Mommy is hot, needs to cook dinner, or has other things to do.

So...do I let him play outside on his own? When I was his age, I was outdoors alone all the time, wandering the yard or neighborhood, riding my bike everywhere, exploring my world.

What do you say, Internet? Not that I'm really good at following advice...pig-headed and opinionated, I generally am going to do what I think is best or right anyway, but I like seeing things from other perspectives..and maybe this'll be one of the times I listen to someone else for a change.