OK not by himself. He is 5 yrs old we live in a quiet town. He and a friend who is in 3rd grade (and lives accross the street from us) would like to walk to school together. I have been walking with them every morning for 3 weeks. I'm torn. I don't want my baby getting taken or lost (even though school is 2 blks away) I don'twant him to get hit by a car. The child 3rd grader does look both ways each and every time as well as my son.
2006-09-06 13:23:02 · 13 answers · asked by johnsmom326 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
I'm not sick of walking him to school. I enjoy spending time with him because I also have a job. I don't mind the walk but my son poised this question to me.
2006-09-06 15:02:26 · update #1
I dont have children - so this may sounds a little over the top but i wouldn't allow my child to walk to school by themselves (or even with another child). I would make sure an adult is with them. It doesn't matter that the school is only 2 blocks away......there could be alot of weirdos in the space of two blocks.
Dont take the chance of putting him in danger....think about how torn you would feel if your son was no longer here after leaving for school one day. I say 15 is a safer age, at least then they will have a slightly better chance of fighting off an adult that may want to harm them. Let's face it, this day and age even if your in a small town & not a big city - we aren't as safe as we used to be.
2006-09-06 13:44:27 · answer #1 · answered by bellajezz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He should not be walking to school without an adult present for at least a couple of more years. I live in a very quiet and safe rural community in the Eastern USA, and we have had attempted kidnappings and several abductions here. Please do not take a chance with your child's well being. There have been adults abducted in their own driveways. I know a couple of families that have gone through these horrible occurrences, and even though their children have been rescued without any "physical" harm; their mental damage has been great. Years of counseling later the parents are still questioning what they did, or did not do which may have contributed to the situation. All of the predators that have been in this area have been from other areas, so it does not matter if you live in a quiet town or not; that is the perfect draw for the predator, as they believe that no body will even think twice about something being wrong. I know that children want to grow up quickly, we have all been there. He will be grown up soon enough, and you cannot expect a third grade student to act as his protector. I sincerely hope you rethink this. Have a good night!
2006-09-06 13:48:38 · answer #2 · answered by Sue F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I think I cannot answer this for you, especially since you did not mention exactly how quiet the town is, everyone has a different idea of what that is, but if it were me, I would not let my 5 year old to walk to school with a 3rd grader, that is only what 8 years old, that is not very old either, my daughter is 7 and she cannot even go out into our yard by herself...of course the city I am in is fairly large.
2006-09-06 13:33:39 · answer #3 · answered by hahaha 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont stop this young. I would wait until he is a lot older. I would say a couple more grades and then walk with a few friends. Ive heard of kids being kidnapped when there is only two of them. I know your in a quiet town but it still happens. Also wait until he fully understands the dangers and knows what to do and what not to do. Its not worth the risk. Let him ride a bus or carpool or something if you dont want to walk.
2006-09-06 13:30:07 · answer #4 · answered by A* 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start by walking behind them, but keep them in sight. If it were me, I would not turn the care of my child over to a 3rd grader. Maybe, next year get a pair of binoculars so the kids can walk farther ahead of you. Maybe the year after that, I would let them walk by themselves.
2006-09-06 13:44:28 · answer #5 · answered by Gypsy Girl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
5 is still young to walk alone to school. And the 3rd grader doesn't seem that he's responsible to walk to school on his own if he's not looking both ways. I would encourage them to walk to school together but watch at a certain distance. Remind your child and the 3rd grader constantly, drill it in their heads about looking both ways and not talking to stranger. And when you find that they are looking both ways with out reminding them you can step back and let them walk to school together.
2006-09-06 13:34:07 · answer #6 · answered by Saint Faustina 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure you've explained over and over how important looking both ways, listening for cars and being very cautious on the street is. if you have ANY DOUBTS, dint let him go by himself! and about being sick of doing this ever day, maybe you could try letting the friend's parent/guardian walk them.
2006-09-06 13:33:21 · answer #7 · answered by augusta 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I advice to let him walk with his friend who is in the 3rd grade but you should keep an eye on him once he leaves. I know that you might worry because it's typical for a mother to worry, but if they are careful that's great. you should though show them some techniques of how to defend themselves if something happens or what to do.
2006-09-06 13:31:16 · answer #8 · answered by diamond latina 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't change a thing. It's not like he's 15 and will get embarrased. You are wise and safe.
If he goes alone, you could follow a good distance behind to see how he does. But I wouldn't take that chance.
.
2006-09-06 13:49:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When he and you are comfortable with him walking by himself. Nothing should ever be a set age limit because everyone is different.
2006-09-06 13:29:04 · answer #10 · answered by sadlymistaken 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋