In the local area where I live a 14 year old boy went missing 3 years ago and a trace of him has never been found. My son has never complained about me walking him to school but I am thinking it will become a problem when he starts high school in a little over a year. yes he is an only child, but every time I think about that other boy, I just cant do it. I let him go to the movies with friends with no adult supervision, but he has no friends close by that he can walk with. Am I being over protective or do other mums or dads feel this way too. Are there any 11 year olds with an opinion on this. No abuse please.
2006-09-28 13:50:35 · 23 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I am so glad I am not alone on this, all your answers have been so helpful, Its going to be hard to choose a best trust me if I could you would all get the ten points. Its so great to hear that the majority of parents in this world love and protect their kids as much as I do, I have been wondering if I was the only one. Thank you all.
2006-09-28 14:57:31 · update #1
ill just say this, i have only one child, a son hes 13 and i have (never) let him, nor will i ever let him walk to school by himself! this world is full of sicko wanting to do harm to our children. ide much rather hear him conplain,than not to ever Hear him again! good luck hun
2006-09-28 14:00:39 · answer #1 · answered by rpoker 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am a mother of three, and I can say that I too would be paranoid if a child had disappeared 3 yrs ago in our neighborhood. But you have to realize that a big part of protecting your son from harm is teaching him to take care of himself. If you don't teach him now to care for himself, what will he do when he is truly on his own? At nearly high school age, I will bet he's probably your own size or bigger? I went through this a couple of years ago with my youngest. I didn't want to let him go anywhere himself. Then he and others pointed out to me that my son was taller and heavier than I was, and possibly I should be taking him with me as an escort so he could protect ME! That started the process of letting go for me. I feel I have given him practical and logical skills on how to figure out who's suspicious.
Good luck and God bless you for being a dilligent caring parent.
2006-09-28 14:50:34 · answer #2 · answered by PDY 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think if you're letting him do other stuff like movies then you're not being overprotective. I feel the same way although my sons are younger but I know how you feel and how difficult it can be to give them independence. I certainly feel that your approach is more responsible than not giving enough supervision though.
Maybe seeking out other kids who walk to school and are friendly and having a rule that he has to walk to highschool with friends in a group to start with would be an idea.
If it doesn't bother him you walking with him at this stage then I guess its not a problem yet though.
2006-09-28 14:19:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are being totally reasonable... I have a son too, and if a little boy disappeared in MY neighborhood you can bet I'd supervise him just as closely as you are!
Perhaps he could take the bus when he gets a bit older.... you could accompany him to the bus stop or just drop him off at school in the car.
Good for you for being protective of your son... don't let anyone tell you you're being too protective. In this case, it's better to be safe than sorry.
2006-09-28 13:54:10 · answer #4 · answered by Lanani 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you should ask how he feels about you walking him to school. as for me i can understand i grew up in an unsafe area and my mother had to walk me to school well into high school. but i didn't mine. my mom and i have a really good relationship. also you are not being over protective he is your son and you have the right to look after him. one other thing there might not be any of his friends near by who walk to school but if there is a group of kids that maybe a little way off then you could walk your son there and then this big group of kids could walk to and from school together and you could pick up and drop off your son where ever they meet. it's just an idea and i hope it helps.
2006-09-28 13:59:45 · answer #5 · answered by Nightstar213 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My younger sister and I were almost kidnapped on the way home from school almost ten years ago. It was one of the most horrifying events in my life. When it comes to something like this, there is no such thing as being over protective. There are just way too many sick people out there.
2006-09-28 19:01:25 · answer #6 · answered by Kikyo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it is not a busy road, I would worry too. However if you see a lot of school children walking to school around that time, maybe it will be good to let him walk along with them in a group - there is safety in numbers.
I am not an 11 year old, but I have a friend who's son is 12 and she drives him to school, even though I think he can take the bus because of her fear. So I can understand what you mean.
2006-09-28 13:53:26 · answer #7 · answered by estee06 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I do not blame you, You have to protect your child because you do not want to take that chance. I have a 14 year son and I pick him up everyday because I know that he is safe. Do not feel bad for loving your child and protecting him.
Some parents do not care and I hate to see that because I see extremely young children walking the streets by themselves. Now a days, you have to be extremely cautious. I do not know what the hell is wrong with these grown adults attacking children..
2006-09-28 14:07:28 · answer #8 · answered by Vicky 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't blame you for not letting him walk alone. I'd walk with him as long as possible. If he gets too old and really doesn't want you to, maybe you could just drive him over to school and drop him off. We've got to protect our "babies", no matter the age, from the world!
2006-09-28 14:07:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are totally not being over protective. You know the stories on TV everyday of things happening. Maybe you can tell him if he wants to continue going to the movies without supervision, he will have to have supervision walking to and from school. Like a trade off. I know you wouldn't want to bribe him, but it's his own saftey
2006-09-28 13:56:02 · answer #10 · answered by lazycat 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I had someone follow me once when I was walking home and I was 10. It was scary as hell and luckily there was a hole in the fence that cut through the neighborhood to my house so I got away. I wouldn't let my children walk to school at that age and I wouldn't let them walk at all if they didn't have other kids with them. Too many sickos out there anymore. I'm with you- better safe than sorry.
2006-09-28 14:32:20 · answer #11 · answered by therealprinsess 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋