Babble

>>> with media freaking us out, and having to be sooo protective

I wondered what you mean by this... It's your choice whether to be, as you phrase it, "sooo protective," and perhaps you should consider trying to relax and not give quite so much credence to media scare-reports. If you see other neighborhood kids running and playing together, are your kids being asked to play and you refuse because of concerns about safety?

Also, you don't mention how old your kids are. I mean, there's no way a 3 yr old can choose playdates and run around on his or her own with a pack of neighborhood kids, but it seems like older kids in certain neighborhoods are lucky to be able to have a little bit of freedom to go out and play with their friends in other backyards on the block, etc. Are you saying the only place you feel your kids are safe is McDonalds play area?

That was my question - how old are your kids?  I think if the neighbor kids are running about you should feel ok about sending yours out to play with them as long as they understand the basics (don't run in the street) and the boundaries (can only go two yards down or whatever.)  When my oldest was six and his little brother was 4 they started playing outdoors with occasional supervision.  A few of us parents took turns monitoring the kids (luckily for us - six boys in three adjacent houses all within three years of each other.)  Honestly, I don't feel at all comfortable at McD's - I don't know the people.  The equipment is questionable... Frankly McD's playland strikes me as a "great" place for a predator and a hugely depressing place in principle.

I like doing things with my children within the community - to get to know people and resources better.  What about a neighborhood playground?  If your children are still toddlers, wait a year or two and it will get better.  When my boys were toddler/preschool age I let them play with the neighborhood kids, but I always watched them from close range as opposed to just poking my head out every fifteen or so minutes as I do now.  Amazing the difference between a three year old and a five year old!