Playing in the Street Under Home Rules
When we were kids, many of our activities took place in the street. Fortunately, we lived on a street that did not get much traffic. This column from Lucy Robertson (aka Mrs Neu) shows an interesting parenting tension of having children close to home and in view, albeit playing in the relative danger of the street, versus out of sight at the park.
The advantage of being in front of your home is that "home rules" or the "family's rules" of expected behavior apply.
“What behavior I expect from my children, I expect from any children who happen to be at my house. I make it clear that everyone is welcome to play and make it clear just what behavior is acceptable to me as it occurs.
So far, no mother has become irate about my sending her child home for unacceptable behavior. So far, no mother has shown any sign of being upset when I’ve requested her child to follow our family’s rules—even when the mother is standing next to me. And so far, the children all like to get together and play here.”
