How much freedom do you give your kids?

[DoctorP]

I'm just wondering. Are your kids running wild?

I know some kids are online odd hours, early morning, late evening.

Some kids are walking up and down the streets at strange hours, hanging out at the food courts on base for hours after school. Not much supervision from the parents at all. My kids are allowed to run free at times, but I usually know what they are doing, who with, and where.

I'm not really interested in the fact that Japanese kids are out all hours of the night...unless you are referring to your own kids.


Do you think it is no big deal when you see kids (age 10-16) out running around pretty much unsupervised?

[a_bjyrd]

Isnt there a curfew for kids that age on base?

[Muku]

Isnt there a curfew for kids that age on base?
There is a curfew for kids off base as well, however it is rarely enforced unless the kids are doing something that they shouldn't be.:rolleyes: There are many kids off base that are going home from juku at that hour so it is rather hard to enforce. The local PTA's and police patrol on set days every month but that does little to change the nocturnal habits of many of the kids.

You would, may, possibly, or not:rolleyes: be shocked at some of the things that kids even here are into. The biggest shock I think I got personally was when I was at a Japanese snack bar in Naha with some friends and after a night of drinking and flirting around with the "women":-| there one of the girls turned to one of my friends who happens to be a teacher in JHS and she said straight faced...."Good Night _______Sensei see you tomorrow":ohmy:. Needless to say the teacher was shocked :dead:. He didnt even recognize the girl from his own class.

I found out later that they had a very very long talk and she quit the job......at least as far as he knew.

My kids, no they dont run around anywhere without me knowing about it. They are in the house by 6PM and if they need to go anywhere afterwards it's with my wife or I.

[Tempestuous]

I get curious about the home/parental situation of kids sometimes too. Seein kids out an about like you mentioned alone at all hours blows my mind.

Our kids are to have permission to even leave our yard.
The eldest and the young teenage neighbor will occasionally hike the hill and go to the neighborhood market grab a soda or snack and come home.

The kids can ride around the block but again not without permission and they go around once an come right back to check in.

With the exception of up to the market and home our kids have never been left somewhere all alone to hang out....perhaps I am too much of a worry wort, but not seein it taking place for our kids for quite some time in the future. :) Too many sicko's out there to worry about.

Too you have no idea who is influencing or speakin to your kids when you aren't around.....they might come home spouting some AR stuff or something. :D Kidding, only kidding.
Seriously though, if your kid is out on their own....SOMEone is influencing them and if you aren't around, you have little or no idea of WHO it is influencing them.