My son is 8/yrs old and wants to start walking to school by hisself...we live 13/blks away and I don't feel like that is such a good idea and we are new to the neighborhood and I don't think there are any kids in the neighborhood that goes to the same school....Should I let him?
2006-07-28 05:47:56 · 105 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
absolutely not.. too young. and the streets are dangerous. lots of psychos out there.
2006-07-28 05:49:34 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ ♫ ☮ NYbron ☮ ♪ ♫ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No i don't think you should...13 blocks is quite a long way to have to walk...anything and everything could happen to him especially if he is walking alone...i think you should let him grow up to the point where it would be safe...like maybe 10 or 11....or find some other kids that would be able to walk to school with him so you wouldn't have to worry....especially not a good idea in a new neighborhood because you don't know the type of people around..give it time to see if some new friends from school pop up and go to the same school...
2006-07-28 05:51:50 · answer #2 · answered by EvEl_LiL_kArEbEaR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was riding my bike to school by myself at that age. That was in a pretty calm neighborhood though. Would your son have to walk on any main roads? Is he supposed to take the bus? Maybe you can compromise with him. This year take the bus, next year start driving him in and every month drop him off a block further away so that way he gets used to the neighborhood and you feel better about taking him part way. Eventually he will be walking on his own. Independence is very good for a kid. As long as the child acts responsibly with the independence.
2006-07-28 05:53:10 · answer #3 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not let an 8 year old walk that far on his own.
Are there good sidewalks all the way from your house to school?
What about starting a "walking school bus" where one parent in the neighborhood walks around and "picks up" all the kids and they all walk together? Then the adults could take turns being the chaperone.
2006-07-29 02:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No way, he is only 8 years old. When my 3 kids were that young I would make sure that they arrived each day safely to school. He is just a small child and you hear all to many times the terrible things that could happen. Better to be safe and walk with him. I am curious 13 blks? No school buses where you live?
2006-07-28 05:59:23 · answer #5 · answered by Bazinga 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to say no...but it depends on where you live. Why don't you walk with him 90% of the way.
13 blocks is a long distance for an 8 year old to be alone.
I started taking the train to school when I was 9...but I guess it's more common for "city-kids."
2006-07-28 05:55:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, no, no. If there was a group of kids I might change my mind, or even walk them part way, but alone for 13 blocks is just not safe. Too bad there are so many freaks out there that kids cannot enjoy the simple pleasure of walking to school. No wonder there are so many kids today that are not responsible....they haven't been given any responsibility yet. It's a catch 22 isn't it?
2006-07-28 05:53:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I wouldn't - at least not right away. Maybe you could walk with him a few times, and kind of scope out his route. Then, if you feel comfortable, let him walk alone - maybe he could call you when he gets to school, just so you know he's okay? Does he not have any friends he could walk with?
Personally, I would wait for him to be a little older to let him walk to school alone, but only you really know your son and your neighborhood. Good luck with the decision.
2006-07-28 05:51:28 · answer #8 · answered by Mary 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand your concern, But you want to give your kid some independce. Maybe walk with him one day showing him the way and right before school let him walk by himself the rest of the way. There he will learn what streets to walk on and still have a little of the indepence he seeks. Then you can start slow and perhaps drive him half way and then he can walk the rest of the way. I know that when I was little I walked to school and we didn't live close either. and it was very good for me for I got to know the area I grew up in . Make sure he knows not to speak to strangers and to call home if he feels uncomfortable, for unfortunly there is alot of horrible people out there!!!
2006-07-28 06:01:49 · answer #9 · answered by wickedfairymaleficent 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't under those circumstances
you could comprimise a bit tho by letting him walk the last 4 or 5 blocks by himself if it is possible for you to keep him in view
you will probably find other kids that go to that school just by taking the path to school everyday, maybe u will meet up with some other kids a few blocks within the school and then let him go with them while u watch them enter the school
2006-07-28 05:53:22 · answer #10 · answered by woman38 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I didnt start walking to school on my own until I was 9/10. Then again I had sisters who went to the same school as me who tagged along. Also, we lived maybe 5 or 6 blocks away.
Id give ur son a ride or try to talk to other parents on the block/in the vacinity and hopefully they have kids who go to his school that way at least he can carpool with them.
2006-07-28 05:51:11 · answer #11 · answered by silver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋