Again I find we are back to tomayto, tomahtoh. I can't get on board with that. Kids often go outside, wonder around their homes, yards, without having to say, "Hey mom, going to be in the tree, hey mom, hiding in the bush, hey mom, I am riding my bike around the neighborhood and while I am at it, I may or may not stop at Jimmy's, then onto Bobby's." Kids aren't prisoners and our jobs as parents is prepare them to be adults, which includes allowing them certain independence. I could see that for a younger child.
See you take issue with that, but I am still trying to understand, in the NG issue with ER why she that Dylan would usually call her to let her know where he "landed" for the night, if not that night, but at least by the next morning. I wish I could clarify that with her because it reads to me like Dylan didn't have to ask permission to spend the night with friends and that as long as he isn't unaccountable for 24 hours it's all good. That one has me more concerned and stumped than MR taking a short nap, thinking Dylan probably went out to play to occupy himself while he waited for MR's return.