Mom Investigated for Letting Kids Play in Backyard

Since I became a mom, I've found myself thinking back on my childhood more than usual. I think about all the fun things my siblings and I used to do- how we'd ride our bikes up and down our street for hours and play kickball in the empty lot across the street from our house. We'd build forts in the woods by the train tracks and have tent sleepovers in our backyard. And we'd do it all without our parents watching over us.

How the world has changed.

I don't know what things will be like when my son is old enough to play outside on his own. I don't know if I'll be comfortable letting him roam our neighborhood for hours on end without checking in. I don't know if I'll be okay with him playing in the backyard without me keeping a watchful eye. I wish I could say that my son will have the same wonderful play experiences I did when I was a kid, but I just don't know.

But what I do know is that how a parent chooses to parent is completely their decision and not mine. Obviously if I believe a child is in serious imminent danger, I'd step in. But to call the authorities over kids playing in their own backyard? I just can't see myself doing that.

A mom in Canada was recently investigated by child protection authorities because she allowed her three kids under the age of 11 to play in their own backyard without adult supervision.

Jacqui Kendrick got a visit from the agency after a neighbor called to report that the kids who are ages10, 5 and 2, were enjoying some fresh air while their mom stood inside watching. That's right Jacqui wasn't letting her little ones play without keeping tabs on them. She was giving them a little bit of freedom while watching from the background, but apparently her neighbor saw that as a case of child neglect.

Not only was Jacqui watching the kids from inside the house, but the yard is completely fenced in. She got off with just a warning, but get this- if there's another complaint, the government could actually remove the kids and place them in foster care.

[via Redbook]