Am I being cruel?

Question

Every day I walk my son 2.5km to kinder and 2.5km back to home
some people say I am being cruel makeing him walk so far.
We have no car so he has to learn how to walk far distances
I could try and organise a ride but I don't think its all that far really
so is this too far or are people just lazy

he does not complain
the bus will work out to $10 a week which I dont have(kinder costs $400 a term and I hurt doing that)

Answer 1

As long as you don't mind carrying him if he gets too tired! He does need to get used to it, and the excercise is great. Maybe it would be good to have a wagon or bikes just in case and give him a break every once in awhile.

Answer 2

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

with so many children being sooo over weight these days, how in the world can these people complain!?

I walked to school and back everyday, rain or shine, and so did my children, and we are all doing just fine. (And have many happy memories to share now because of it!)
And, he'll let you know if it's to much for him. After walking to school, and a busy day at school he may enjoy a wagon ride home. Just ask him if he would rather walk today, or ride in the wagon. - If you don't have on then start looking at yards sales and thrift stores - or even auctions - but, you DON'T need to go by a new one. (Some days we just don't feel up to walking. He's no different. Just ask him and I'm sure he'll tell you.)

As for the reason that he is NOT complaining: it's because he's so stinkin' HAPPY that he get's to spend all that time alone with his Mommy - whom he LOVES and ADORES more than anyone one else in the world at his tender age. ENJOY these walks with him Sweetheart!! They are gone all to fast and you will never get the chance to do this again.

One more thing. Stats seem to show that children that are given quality stuctured time w/ their parents one-on-one (and that's what these walks are), have a MUCH lower risk of trying/using drugs & alcohol later.

YOU ARE a GOOD Mother! And don't you let anyone cause you to doubt that! If you need proof, look at your child and see how happy he is when he looks you in the eye. He's smiling, right? Well then that's all that matters! :)

God bless you both!

Answer 3

Does he seem to mind? If he seems to dislike it, at least try making it more enjoyable some how. If not, then as long as he has proper shoes and clothes for it, I say it's fine. (check with your doctor of course) I would take a break in the middle, maybe just to check out something of interest or get some water, and make sure it is "quality time" then it'll be more pleasant for both of you. I walked nearly that far to kindergarten when I was 4, there and back every day. I don't have terrible memories of it and didn't mind at all, there were bugs and sticks and things along the way, lol.

Answer 4

No dear, as long as he does not complain n u dnt rush him, it's not wrng. My daughter is 2 1/2 n she really likes walking with me to the market a km away n back n I also took her back from kinder nearly 3 km away frm home a couple of times n she really liked it. So stop bothering about people n think that it's good for ur kid. Ask him n tell him that mama cnt afford all the cost, am sure he will understand n care for u. Children often act like this.

Answer 5

No, it's NOT cruel!
1. You can't afford to do it any other way and you are already sacrificing by paying the Kinder costs...sounds like a good thing to me
2. My three year old has more energy than he knows what to do with... and 2.5K really isn't that far...
3. I guess if he complains, let him ride his bike, use a wagon, or stroller...but otherwise your his mom, you do what you have to do...I'm sure your son will only be better for it int he long run.

Answer 6

You are NOT cruel.
Walking is great exercise. Children don't get enough exercise during school hours.
Keep an eye on the kids of the people who say you are cruel. And notice how many of them turn out obese or lazy.
Keep up the good walk !

Answer 7

No you are not being cruel. At age 5 I was walking twice that distance each day to school... on my own!

It is never cruel to get a child to walk a reasonable distance each day. Walking is good exercise and studies have shown that it makes them more alert. Children that arrive at school by car and never get any exercise have been shown to consistently under-perform at school for the first hour or two.

Your child will grow up stronger, healthier, less lazy and better educated as a result of walking to school. Don't listen to the lazy people who are setting their kids up for a lifetime heart problems, obesity and laziness.

At the age of 6 my daughter climbed her first mountain - 5 miles of walking and 2,500ft of climbing so as long as your kid is healthy then what he's doing is way within his capabilities.

Answer 8

a child needs excersize every day as well as other things. i think it is great and he isnt complaining of being hurt not tired i think it is good for the both of you it even gives you quality time with each other with no outside interference from other people and keeps the communication line open between the two of you which becomes extremely important at this age and as they get older

Answer 9

Nothing wrong with it. It's good for you and him! People used to walk that far all the time right? It's really not THAT far. I walk my own kids about that far - but it's to the doughnut shop so I think that cancels out the health!

Answer 10

hi!

ive been walking my son to day care everyday since his been 2 and now his 4, its about 20 minutes walk to bring him and to get him back at the end of the day so 40 minutes walk for a kid a day. i dont find it cruel. its just good for them.

for me taking a taxi to bring him would be like 14$ a day. So i try to walk him the more ofthen i can.

its just good exercise for him. he burns his energy and when he gets home well he should not be as hyper or active to burn you out.