Concerned stranger accosts 10-year-old and 6-year-old walking home alone from the library, prompts complaints about taking away childrens' independence: 'I hate that it's not normal for kids to be allowed to move around outside the house alone'

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    daeveningglow @InlandCaGuy Follow Some lady pulled over and asked my 10 year old and 6 year old who were walking back from dropping off some library books "where are your parents?" and creeped them out. I really hate that it's not normal for kids to be allowed to move around outside the house alone.
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    daeveningglow @Inland CaGuy • 2d Replying to @InlandCaGuy I'm sure she was just trying to help, but it's just a reflection of how odd it is for anyone to see kids anywhere on their own.
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    MWA @RtrnSanity - 1d Replying to @InlandCaGuy I hate this too. Also, big ups for being a great dad who encourages independence.
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    Grant @LazloSzombathy. 2d Replying to @InlandCaGuy I saw a kid about 10 walking a dog this morning by himself. Thought it seemed odd, only because it's not something I see more common. I was riding my bike with a backpack full of books and CDs to the library everyday at 10 years old.
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    Ratatoskr @Ratatoskr72.1d Replying to @InlandCaGuy German guy here. In the elementary school our kids went to, we were instructed by the principal that the children were supposed to walk to and from school without adult supervision after the first couple weeks. Elementary school starts age 6 here.
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    Wallace & Willow @tamjak • 1d Replying to @InlandCaGuy I had a parent get really mad over text. messages that my 15 yo daughter was at home with 4 friends while only my 18 yo daughter was there. The parent said, "15 yo's need supervision". They were hanging out for few hours and leaving at 9:30 on a Friday night. I was at work.
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    Joe Friday @its_Joe_Friday 1d Replying to @Inland CaGuy • My kid was stopped by police while riding on an isolated bike path (literally the safest place you could ride a bike) while dad was pushing the stroller half a block behind, within sight. It kind of scared her and she didn't want to ride without someone next to her for a while.
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    J Jim F @finlay171020. 1d Replying to @InlandCaGuy I agree. But I'll say this, it's not as normal as it used to be. When I was a kid, all the kids on my block were outside on our street playing stickball, manhunt, hide and seek every evening in the summer. Every evening. I never see kids out anymore. This woman was shocked.
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    Stephen of Stephen @radiofreesteve ⚫1d: Replying to @Inland CaGuy The Netherlands and Germany have some space for you...
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    Luís Guilherme @lgfp. 1d Replying to @InlandCaGuy A lady started **pursuing** my daughters (aged 10 and 9) when they were walking back home one block because it was dangerous for them to walk alone. They ran home.
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    Spicy Hellcat @spittykitty543.1d Replying to @InlandCaGuy I was babysitting other people's kids at age 11. I don't understand why so many people think young kids can't be independent. I live by a playground and like seeing groups of kids playing. I only check when I hear yelling or crying. Haven't intervened yet!
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    Kiersten Bea @highitsbea • 1d Replying to @InlandCaGuy . Ugh yeah my 9 year old was cleaning trash out of the car as a chore the other day -- directly in front of our house -- and someone did the same thing and kept motioning for him to come talk to them. Naturally he sprinted inside bc actually we don't talk to strangers
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    a_cat @fsappreciator 1d Replying to @InlandCaGuy Big difference is whether the kid puts their books in one of these or not RADIO FLYER
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    owen cyclops @owenbroadcast . 1d theres two civilizations living alongside each other today. in one, risk is a part of life, it “just happens". in the other, risk is something "you do❞: you choose to take it on. this is a complete epistemic divide. they dont understand each other. totally oppositional realities
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    Dave @pa_tall • 1d Everyone jokes about how Gen Z is afraid to talk on the phone and is so full of anxiety - maybe we should reflect on how the complete lack of independence we give kids might cause that.
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    I. Hernandez @Hernando_206. 1d Said it before and I'll say it again: the reason I don't let my kids out by themselves more isn't because I'm worried about their safety, it's because I'm worried about some busybody siccing CPS on us because my kids dared to walk to the convenience store without a grownup.
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    Dr. Mary Donegan @Dr_Donegan · 1d The dude who blah blah'd about ppl not wanting kids because of coffee shops was wrong. But it's not wrong to say our culture is so, so hostile to children having any sort of freedom to exist in public or third spaces. This happens way too much, incl by police & ppl who call them.
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    Douglas @D_M_Gregory 1d • I recently moved from city to suburb, and I've been thrilled with all the parks and trails in easy walking distance... ...and shocked at how they're almost always deserted. Beautiful summer days, and the sports fields, quiet neighborhoods with perfect lawns, all sitting empty.
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    Donaldinho @smcultra 18h Man how times have changed. It was way more dangerous to be out as a kid back in the 90s than it is today but it was way more common back then.

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