(Sort of) free range kids

For context- I live in a small suburban area of Eastern Colorado - basically a suburban neighborhood dropped into the middle of a rural area. I have two sons, 10 and 5. I didn't want to get the 10 year old his own smart phone (it seems so young) but we bought an extra smart phone that we're calling "the home phone" that mostly stays on our kitchen counter, but whose number the kids can give out to their friends if they want to call them, and that we can send along with them on outings away from home.There is a very nice park about half a block from our house. In truth, I can see the park and the kids (if they aren't hidden by the play structures) from my front yard. I take the kids there whenever I can, but some days (like today) I am busy with housework and also have a bad cold and am not up to it.My 10 year old asked if he could take himself and his 5 year old brother to the park today...and I let them even though my anxiety was screaming about it. I gave the "home phone" to the 10 year old, and we had regular check ups, as well as me stepping outside a few times to watch them from my porch.It was fine, they were fine and came home on time. But the thing that has my anxiety up is that I have read multiple articles about kids getting brought home by the police and/or CPS investigating because parents let their kids go somewhere without them.I'm managing my own anxiety disorder while trying to keep my kids safe and also allowing them to have some freedom. I admit that my sense of perspective is lacking.So question is, for most parents, if you lived in a safe neighborhood and could see the park from your house, would you let your 10 and 5 year old go there by themselves with a cell phone and regular check-ins? I admit that I'm asking because I dont know what is normal. My husband thinks it's fine. Probably it is. But if you saw that, would you call the cops? Should the cops be called? Ugh. I hate anxiety. Thank you in advance for your perspective. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2nS1HC2