Would you let your

krislati · #1 January 23rd, 2012, 07:38 AM

gs'er walk over a block to school by themselves?

::er!ca:: · #2 January 23rd, 2012, 08:47 AM

Depends on what grade. My DD is only in 1st grade, we literally live a block away from the school. I would NOT let her walk alone. I (or DH) take and pick her up every day. If she were in 4th or 5th grade, perhaps. It would depend on her maturity, if there is a crossing guard (which there is, in our case), and if there are other children/families walking in the same direction (which there are).

Kimchi · #3 January 23rd, 2012, 10:03 AM

I would. I fell that walking to school is an opportunity for the child to prove they are ready for it and responsible enough to handle it. I also feel it is the parent's responsibility to allow their child a sense of maturity and growth that they deserve.

krislati · #4 January 23rd, 2012, 10:07 AM

This question came about after dropping my dd off this morning. I saw a girl about 3rd grade walking alone, with really no one around. There is no crossing guard at the upper part of the school where she would enter. I wouldn't let my 2nd grader or even 5th grader. There are too many crazy people out there these days, it freaks me out.

Kimchi · #5 January 23rd, 2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krislati

I wouldn't let my 2nd grader or even 5th grader. There are too many crazy people out there these days, it freaks me out.

I'm just curious... Have you checked the crime statistics in your area on child abductions? I bet you they are way lower than what you think. I'm not trying to start a debate, but I just think that kids need to have responsibility to do things that they are capable of handling. It gives them a sense of maturity and responsibility and a solid foundation that they are capable and trustworthy. That way they don't wake up one day ready to go to college, and they have never been solely responsible for themselves. JMO

clouise · #6 January 23rd, 2012, 12:46 PM

Not this year...they are in K and 1. Next year when they are in grades 1 and 2 I probably would. I walk with them the first few weeks, and then once they were comfortable, let them try it alone.

::er!ca:: · #7 January 23rd, 2012, 02:13 PM

Just because I won't allow my 5-8 year old walk to school alone, doesn't mean they will not learn responsibility and be prepared to leave the home on their own when they go off to college. JMO

My children are already learning to have personal responsibility in other ways.

krislati · #8 January 23rd, 2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::er!ca::

Just because I won't allow my 5-8 year old walk to school alone, doesn't mean they will not learn responsibility and be prepared to leave the home on their own when they go off to college. JMO

My children are already learning to have personal responsibility in other ways.

I totally agree with you!

I don't think the crime rate matters in the areas, there are creepy predators everywhere. Most of them have never been convicted of a crime, just not a risk I am willing to take.

LovinMyGirls · #9 January 23rd, 2012, 02:27 PM

From the elementary school? No because of the main road. From the middle school yes. Eventually when Arianna is older I will allow her to walk home from school (not alone but with friends).

And not that it matters...but you might think your area is safe. I thought ours was.. we had 2 attempted abductions in our area recently. One literally down the street from my children's school. But it was at night (6-7pm).

Mom2Brendan · #10 January 23rd, 2012, 02:39 PM

Since of recent abductions issues I would say he will never walk alone and he will only start walking around 5th grade.

One thing I worry about if I'm still a single mommy when he starts 7th grade walking in the snow and in below zero temps as our jr high bus is a city bus a bit down the street as I don't drive.

Gaby&Emmy'sMama · #11 January 23rd, 2012, 06:43 PM

Not at this age, no

Mommie2One · #12 January 23rd, 2012, 07:22 PM

Yes. I allowed my son to start walking home from school after winter break in 2nd grade (he's now in 4th). I do not have him walk TO school because I want to make sure he gets there okay since kids go to school at different times, but I allow him to walk home and he walks home with a group of a few kids around the same age. He's 10, he goes outside and plays with friends on our street, walks home from school. I agree that they really do need that sense of independentness. So my compromise is I take him in the AM and he can walk home in the PM.

Blessed Mommy Of 5 · #13 January 23rd, 2012, 09:59 PM

The grade school my children attend is actually K-8. I have three children that attend school there. My 8th grade daughter, 5th grade son, and 4th grade daughter. We live right down the street and around the corner from the school. I always drive them to school in the mornings, but they do walk home from school sometimes depending mostly on the weather. Honestly, if it were just my 4th and 5th grader attending the school, I would not allow them to walk home from school. I am a very protective mommy and I'm always worrying about my kids. There are crossing guards at their school; as well as many other children walking to/from school. I see parents walking their children as well.

D@mnedYankee · #14 January 23rd, 2012, 10:25 PM

Kristy with you guys living in Boston (at least thats the location in your profile)... No way!

I have been toying with this idea for ourselves actually. Amber is very mature for her age and there is about 5 of the 8th grade boys in our neighborhood walk (her school is Pre K to 8)...and they walk right by my house. I have been tempted to ask them if they would walk her to school for me some mornings.... I am also tempted to offer them a job cutting my yard too but IDK if kids do that anymore...

Jaidynsmum · #15 January 24th, 2012, 05:41 AM

Lucas has walked to and from school since he was 9 (he's now 11). It's just under a mile from our front door to the school gate.

BLTMommy · #16 January 24th, 2012, 07:59 AM

My 3rd and 4th grader I would, but not my Kindergartener. But I also live in a very tiny town, so there is not much traffic, etc.

AmAnDaMo · #17 January 24th, 2012, 11:47 AM

no

Momof4Boyz · #18 January 24th, 2012, 11:54 AM

Yes, depending on age, maturity and our area. This area, no, in our area in ID - for sure! I'd feel better if they had a group to walk with though!

krislati · #19 January 25th, 2012, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D@mnedYankee

Kristy with you guys living in Boston (at least thats the location in your profile)... No way!

I have been toying with this idea for ourselves actually. Amber is very mature for her age and there is about 5 of the 8th grade boys in our neighborhood walk (her school is Pre K to 8)...and they walk right by my house. I have been tempted to ask them if they would walk her to school for me some mornings.... I am also tempted to offer them a job cutting my yard too but IDK if kids do that anymore...

I live in a suburb of Boston but the people still drive crazy, I've been cut off in the school pick up line..lol.

I might let my dd walk with a group when in a few years depending on how responsible she is. What prompted my question was I saw this girl all alone walking to school with no one around really. It kind of scared me, it doesn't help that I worry about things too much.

Cesca · #20 January 26th, 2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::er!ca::

Depends on what grade. My DD is only in 1st grade, we literally live a block away from the school. I would NOT let her walk alone. I (or DH) take and pick her up every day. If she were in 4th or 5th grade, perhaps. It would depend on her maturity, if there is a crossing guard (which there is, in our case), and if there are other children/families walking in the same direction (which there are).

Same here