What age do you think it is safe for a child to start walking to school on their own?

Question

My son is 10, and we live about a 10 minute walk from school. It's a fairly safe route, with one set of traffic lights (although for a pretty busy road). My biggest concern is that he looks quite a bit younger than he actually is - do you think that would make him more vulnerable?

He is a very sensible boy, good at crossing the road etc. I'm just wondering what parents of other kids this age think.

Answer 1

Crumbs Donna. In this day and age it is arguable whether it is safe for anyone to walk anywhere at any time!

As a mother, you know your son and his capabilities best. If you think he's ready now then chances are he was six months ago. You know what I mean.

I'd try and ensure he was a safe as possible, maybe there are other kids in your area that walk or would like to, have a word with other mums or the teachers at the school and see if you can get a group of 3-4 kids who are walking the same way (any less and I think they are too vulnerable, any more and sensible and responsible though they all are, group menatlity takes over and silliness can take over).

Personally I would try and get him walking with a small group, maybe with a parent in the background, rather than completely on his own.

Answer 2

IT depends on how sensible you consider him to be a great deal, and does he have any friends he can walk home with/ or do a lot of kids from his school walk that way anyway. Perhaps you could gradually get him to do it by meeting him just after the school gate, at the traffic lights, waiting in front of your house, until you and he are both confident that he is safe. It's hard I know, but children need to be given responsibility and independance in order that they can use them sensibly and understand the risks involved. If he has a phone maybe he could take that (off in class) and that would help you feel more confident too.

Answer 3

I would wait until he was 12 or 13 years old. I have a 12 year old son but we live too far from his school to let him walk. It's always better to be safe than sorry, especially if there is a lot of traffic on the road that he would be travelling.

Answer 4

I think the times have definitely changed. When I was little, you never had to worry about kidnappings or child molesters. I walked to school from kindergarten to 6th grade when we moved out of state and I rode the bus. I used to ride my bike all over town and it didn't matter as long as I was home before dark.

Nowadays you have to think twice about things like that. My son is 6 and I don't even let him ride the bus LOL (Although, I've also seen how the bus drivers drive. (running over curbs, pulling out in front of cars) Scary!

I wouldn't let my 10 year old walk to school, but that is me and I am paranoid LOL.

I think that if you discuss it well enough and you are both comfortable with the idea, then it is up to you. IMO a child who looks vulnerable IS vulnerable. As if to say, a child who is unsure of himself, looks scared about walking alone, etc.

Just make sure that he knows that he is to walk to school and home from school only. No talking to people he doesn't know. Perhaps stay in a group of friends (if possible) teach him what to do in the event someone approaches him, etc.

Answer 5

Well my son is 8 and we live 5 mins from the school i walk him to school and than meet him half way home cause most of this friends walk on there own.
I think if your child is road wise, wont wonder to so and so's house without telling you, and walks with a friend than i say its a personal thing.
What bothers me are these parents that let there children play outside after school and on the weekends on there own but wont let them walk home from school by themselfs whats the difference??
Snyway its up to you, you know your child best.

Answer 6

You sound like you are feeling anxious about this so perhaps it would be a good idea if you still walked him to school. I am assuming he will be going up to the Secondary School the following summer, he will need to walk to school on his own eventually. Perhaps a couple of months before he is due to leave Primary school, the nights will be light and he will be that much older. If you are asking this question because he is protesting that he wants to walk to school on his own, you could let him walk to school but follow a little way behind and until you are reassured that he will be all right.

Answer 7

My daughter started walking to school on her own when she was 10. She has to make her own way backwards and forward to secondary school and I wanted her to get used to thinking about the traffic. Her junior school is on a much safer route.
I don't think it is his size that should worry you - it is the safety of the road. Do you trust him to always cross at the crossing?
I'd let him try.
ps I'm the one hiding behind the bush watching every step my child takes!

Answer 8

It really depends on how your feel about him walking to school.. What is your neighbor like.? Do you feel it is safe enough for him to walk to school.. Are there other kids he can walk with or does he have to walk alone.? Are there a lot of houses and/or bussiness around where he will be walking or it a just him down a street by himself.?

You could walk with him a few hundred time at first. You and him might like it. Get him use to walking to school.

Good luck

Answer 9

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Answer 10

I waited till my son went to secondary school at 11. He also is a sensible boy that looks a little older than he actually is. However, its the outside world that worries me, not the capabilities of my son. The world is cruel.