My 8 yr old wants to walk to school without me. What age do kids walk themselves to school?

Answer 1

It totally depends upon the circumstances -- how old of course (how mature actually for their age) Location of wher e you live- neighborhood of where you live - and, in your neighborhood is there other children walking to school. and also, distance- how far will she be walking? Where I live -- they walk to school early --- even kindergarden- but I am from a small town...
My advice- is there anybody else in the neighborhood walking to school-- maybe they can team up- and walk together.
If YOU don't feel comfortable about it - don't do it!! also, if you do do it- follow behind for a few days without your child knowing -- and make sure you feel comfortable with it.

Answer 2

How far is the school? Are their other kids that might be older walking there also? Just questions I would ask but I dont even let my 13 year old go walking about alone. I just dont trust many these days even though I live in 2nd lowest crime rate state I still dont take chances. I worry more about idiot drivers on the road then kidnappers. I see so many people ride off into ditch or cross yellow lines more and more as they are on their cellphone, putting on makeup, drinking and eating and not paying attention so I would really keep that in mind as well.

Answer 3

Is he going to be walking with older children that you are familiar with? Enough of them so that if a couple of them get sick he is still going to have other kids to walk with? And what is the area like?
I know that it's hard for kids, and some other kids might make fun of him that his "mommy still walks him to school". But these days with so many crimes against children, better made fun of than end up molested or worse. And what about him being approached to try drugs? How would he handle that if you weren't there?
He has to be able to handle all sorts of situations that might come at him. He must be prepared for whatever might come his way. That is hard enough for us adults, let alone a child.
Only you can decide, because only you are familiar with the child and all the variables.
Good luck and I am sure you will make the choice that is best for your son.

Answer 4

I think that would depend on where you live and how far you are from the school. My kids both walked to the elementary school near our house to catch the bus to their school when they were 8, but I could stand on the front porch and watch them the whole way. I also live in a small town and there isn't a whole lot of traffic. If I lived in a larger city then I would probably wait until they were at least 12.

Answer 5

Is there a group of friends your child can walk with? I have a 5 yr old, and would be hesitant to allow him to walk to school unaccompanied at 8. Although, if memory serves, I walked to school without my mom at 5 or 6. The times have changed, I suppose. Sad.

Answer 6

It depends on how far the school is. If it's a block or two, I'd let your 8 yr old walk. If the neighbor kid and your 8 yr old can go together, even better. If it's further, I maybe wouldn't. If you're worried about it, send your child with a walkie talkie and you have the other end and have him/her let you know when he/she arrives at school.

Answer 7

That depends on a lot of different things. First how mature is your child? Can he or she be trusted to walk straight to school, not talk to strangers etc? How far is it? What is the route like? Are there likely to be other children walking along the same route? Only you can really decide if it's safe or not. There is a fine line between protecting our children and making them paranoid and clingy. At the end of the day you need to decide what's best for you child right now.

Answer 8

you don't add the sex of your child and this does make a difference, i only let my 3 boys aged 8,8 and 10 walk to school alone because, 1), school was literally 1 min walk away from my house, and 2) there was 3 of them together, now my daughter is 4 when she's 8 i won't let her walk to school alone. but yes it depends on how many children are walking the same route, how far it is and the maturity of your child, only you know, if you have to question it then don't do it.

Answer 9

I think 8 is a little young. I would say late middle school. At that young, kids don't really know how to appropriately react to certain situations. I am scared sometimes to walk somewhere by myself and Im 22! You never know what some stranger will do in this world today!

Answer 10

Well I think 8 is a bit young to let him walk by him self to school or anywhere.These days they are so many sexual predators out there and kidnappings and killing of young kids that I think it is unsafe till they get into there teens,even then they need the buddy system.He may not understand why you say no,Try and explain it to him that his safety has to come 1st.You can always let him walk way of head of you But still have him in your eye range,I know at this age they are starting to want to be very independent.