when i was in elementary school, i walked a few blocks to school, have the rules changed?

Question

can a 2nd grader walk by himself without the CPS being called? she's mature for her age and i trust her. i know everybody says the "world" had changed, but it's not that as much as what you hear in the news everyday.

1st off, she's been through programs & drilled on wh/2 do if approached. not once, but 4 years. it's not t/stranger on t/street that 1 has 2 worry about, as much as U need 2 worry about people who spend time w/children. pediphiles find ways 2 work around R with children. i'm very vigilant N giving her knowledge. i know she is capable, because of personal experience, which i don't need 2 explain. most children that have been abducted, were with their parents in wal-marts, at gas stations, in their homes. just cuz ur there, doesn't mean anything! if U think that being with UR child 24/7 is protection, it isn't. they need 2 know how 2 protect themselves even when you're in t/same house/school/church from their stepparent, grandparent, brothers, uncles, aunts, teachers, bus drivers, church leaders, etc... if U leave UR child only w/ANY adult & UR child doesn't know 2 follow their instincts & about "icky" feelings, YOU'VE DONE THEM A DISSERVICE. there R no guarantees.

t/chances of something happening 2 ur child is far greater 2 happen in ur home with someone u know then walking a couple of blocks 2 school. i can tell by some answers, th/ U haven't gotten educated and been through any programs.

Answer 1

I see all ages in my town walking to school. I think even a first grader do himself. But that when I was living in the apartment with alot of kids. I think she should be fine. I would have a talk with her want to do if a stranger comes up to her and protect herself if a adult stranger going after her like screaming and start running. I think she should be fine.

Answer 2

No doubt you can trust your child, it is everyone else in the world that you can't trust. I was the same, I walked several blocks to school by myself when I was 6 years old. I agree that the world probably hasn't changed all that much. Likely there were just as many perverts around then as now but it just wasn't all over the media like it is today. Still do you really want to take the chance that something will happen? One thing that may steal childhood innocence forever? Not worth it just to save yourself some aggravation.

Answer 3

i know my mother used to walk to school all the time, but that was a completely different age. I think it more has to deal with where you live, does your child have to cross many busy streets on the way to school, are there any unsavory aspects she might encounter, and be unable to react too on the way. Walk the route and remember to take into account how a 2nd grader would react to things, how she might find herself distracted.

Unfortunately in this day and age, the safety concern of someone trying to take her, or perhaps hurting her seems to be higher then in previous years, so you have to take into every consideration, not just because she's mature for her age and you trust her, because there might be people out there that you can't trust.

Answer 4

The CPS should not be your main concern. Your child's safety should.

This depends 100% on the neighbourhood and whether she will have to cross roads, go past lots of gateways that people will be reversing out of to go to work etc. There are a lot more cars around these days, regardless of whether the world has changed safety-wise.

Are there no other older kids she can walk with? That would be the best solution if there's a genuine reason why you can't walk with her. If you are at home anyway, though, I think that at that age you should walk with her.

Answer 5

You can trust your child, but can you trust every other person in the world with your child. that is what you are doing every time you let her walk to and from school. it is awesome that you aren't one of those super overprotective mothers, as long as you understand that anything can happen and you are taking that chance every time she isn't with you or someone you trust. scary isn't it. I am not saying it is right or wrong, that is totally for you to decide. a 2nd grader is usually old enough and mature enought to walk alone and I can't imagine that someone would call CPS for that, and if they did, I am sure they wouldn't do anything about it.

Answer 6

Its not changed that much what kind of crazy world are you living in and why would you want to risk your childs safety. If I saw a young child that looked to be in primary school walking alone I would call CPS.

Answer 7

She should be fine as long as you explain safety measures to her. For example, to watch for people backing out of driveways, dont talk to any strangers for any reason whatsoever, etc. The best thing would be to walk with her, or have her walk with some other kids. Safety in numbers.

Answer 8

Are you kiding!? Let a 2nd grader walk by themselves??!?? Little kids are EASY to trick in a car. Even if she says no all the guy has to do is pick her up cover her mouth and put her in his car. Then BAM shes gone. You'll be on Nancy Grace crying about your baby.

Please be smart and walk with your kid!!!

Answer 9

Depends where you are. In my home town people run red lights so often I'd be terrified to let my kid walk alone even if they walked with the signals.

Answer 10

You can encourage her to walk with a neighbor who lives close by so she can be with someone if she walks to school. Try to tell her the easiest way, and quickest way home if possible.