LadyM, I always picture your community being just like Mayberry.
It seems so nice, the kids being able to walk so many places, and still being rural enough for gardens and farms, your son driving the tractor to/from places. That has a lot to do with whether or not they can be left alone. I'd say just trust your gut instinct. I'm sure you have pretty good "radar" about the safety of the neighborhood. Especially if there is someone close by who can be called at a moment's notice, they are probably going to be fine.
I think I stayed home in the afternoons when with my little brother I was 15, and dbro started school. It was whenever dmom started working at the bank. Up until then, she had been a full-time homemaker. I was uneasy about her starting work outside the home, but that may have just been my fear of change. We did always have good neighbors. Not close enough that I could have outrun anyone chasing me, but close enough that I could call them if I had an emergency.
I was thinking I was in 8th grade, but that doesn't seem right now. Dbro was only 3 years old then, and that was when dneighbors -- the friends of Other Guy moved in. I think dmom was home all the time then, and I remember she was still sewing a LOT of my clothes then. I think that came to an abrupt halt when she started working 40 hours outside the home. I know she was home when ddad got home then, because she said one day he came home and said, "Where's Lucy?" She said, "Next door." Ddad said, "She is always over there when Other Guy is there." Dmom said, "She is always over there, period." Of course, dmom knew why, but it was true that my friend and I were together 99% of the time, anyway.
BUT -- before then, when I was probably less than 13, I did babysit next door on a few occasions (other neighbors) but always in daytime when dmom was home. The neighbor mom probably just asked me to come over for a short time while she ran to the store. She had 4 kids and it was probably a big deal to load them all up to go anywhere.
I do remember when I was 13-14, I was home alone one evening with dbro, and my neighbor (friend of Other Guy) came running into our house screaming -- just pranking us, trying to scare us. It definitely worked! I screamed back at her, she left, and I don't know which of us ended up telling her mom, but she got in trouble over it, LOL!
One other story -- the first time we ever left ds home alone at night, he was 15. I remember it well, because he answered the phone and it was my ddad. When we got home, ds said, "Don't EVER tell me to answer the phone if it's Granny and Granddaddy again. He was all upset because I was here by myself."
I saw ddad the next day, and I said, "What is the big deal about leaving ds home by himself? You left your WIFE home alone when she was the same age."
That DID give ddad a bit of a second thought. Totally different perspective when you're a 21 year old husband, compared to a grandfather.
~~~
Speaking of my dmom, she just called to tell me she IS scheduled to come home tomorrow. Hallelujah. (I think.) Probably more errands for me, but less distance/drive-time. I truly do not expect her to be without driving privileges for more than a week or so. She really seems to be doing well. I walked with her and her PT today. I think she will probably do better at home, on her own schedule, etc... just so long as she doesn't develop another blockage.
We went to dgd's ballgame tonight, I am trying to get some laundry done now, and get back on routines somewhat. Setting my goals at super-baby steps -- one task or 5 minutes a day. Anything else I can do will make me feel very virtuous.
