Is it horrible to make ds walk

This is the first time I've ever suggested the OP should avoid a drip feed. But you've omitted much of the information that would help people make suggestions or give advice.

Yes.
I do think a 40 minute walk to and from secondary school every school day rain or shine is too long at 11. The first term he will be exhausted anyway.
When the weather changes, in the rain, the dark mornings and the cold, and carrying all the books and sports kit etc. its a lot less practical. I think he's too young to cycle in traffic. It might be a 40 minute walk for most people, but for one of my DC who tended to day dream or dwardle, it would have taken longer and I'd have worried he'd be late for school.

I think its a lot to ask in the first term. Maybe in term 3 when the weather's better.

• Are you suggesting that you would walk with him, to avoid going on the bus with him. 80 minutes a day?
• Is he physically strong enough to carry all the gear he needs for secondary.
• You said he has SEN, would he be able to do this on his own?
• Walking one way.. maybe not so bad.
• Walking through city streets full of traffic - far from ideal. Is he used to walking solo with lots of roads to cross?
• Walking through well lit residential streets not piled up with speeding traffic - might be possible.
• How does his brother currently travel to school?
• Will his brother walk with him?
• Will his brother be going at the same time as him every day
• Do they get on? or would his brother resent this?
• How old is the brother?

You don't have to answer these questions here but these are all thiings that would have a bearing on it.

Have you even read the OP’s reason for avoiding the bus?

But unless she's actively telling her son she's too scared to get the bus, what does it matter?

Loads of children walk 40+ minutes to school every single day. It's normal.

Of course it's normal, it's only in MN land where everyone's kids are simultaneously fit and skinny but also can't possibly be expected to walk 40 minutes to school.

No. Have you read the OP’s posts in which she describes the reason for walking is because she can’t be around people? She risks passing this rather significant social anxiety onto her child. The potential damage to her child’s social development far outweighs any health benefits there might be from walking. .

40 minutes is perfectly normal and healthy ?

Of course, it’s a good idea, allows for a nice soft start to the day and a decompress after school.

Too exhausted after a 40 minute walk?!
A 40 minute twice a day will be great for his fitness.
My eldest walk 40 minutes twice a day to secondary school in all weather.
My middle child walks 15 minutes to the train station, a 10 minute train and then a 20 minute walk.
I walk 15 minutes to the station, 30 minute train and then a 20 minute walk to the office.
Youngest walks 10 minutes to school.

Why? What will happen if he walks in the rain? Will he melt?

I must live in a different universe to most on MN because where I live most of the kids walk to secondary school. There's a couple of comps about 30-40 minutes walk away with no bus that goes direct from here. So the ones who don't get lifts walk.I thought that was completely normal.

As he's 11 that's absolutely fine. I walked 35mins from.age 6 no problem

Id say absolutely fab if you're walking him in mild weather. Not rain or frost, that's not ok.

You are the adult. You are the parent. You make the choice that gives your child the best access to education, not the choice that makes you more comfortable.

If you don’t like the bus buy a bike.

If you don’t like biking buy a car.

Are you happy walking nearly 3 hours every day, in every weather? Is that really easier than using a bus?

Don't be ridiculous 😂

Sorry, have now read your updates.
40 mins walk for an 11 year old is fine. It will be beneficial for his health and learning.
Extra glass of water before leaving the house.

YES, yes and yes again.
He will be too exhausted to concentrate on his school work and may not follow education the state provides for him that could improve his life.
What about RAIN , wind and heat etc ?? - will he walk in all weather?

Typed before saw age. 40 minutes is too long each way. Can he ride bike/scoot?

It very much depends on whether he wants to walk, the weather, is he carrying a load jf books? Why can't he get the bus alone? Are you making any efforts to face your fears?

Is it 40 minutes at little child's pace or at brisk adult pace?
Most little kids are happier scooting and go a helluva lot faster, so if it's little kids pace then get him a scooter and cut your time in half.
40 mins scooting would be a work out but ages ago i read that children who exercise before school concentrate and learn better. It's just a bit sweaty in the summer.

But your son should be allowed to take a bus. Don’t make him do things because you have a problem. You can avoid taking bus until you feel ready.

Why can’t he do it alone?

Thousands of children walk to and from school in all weathers, you do know that, right?

But the way mother is passing her anxiety of being around other people will.

Absolutely fine at aged 11 and much healthier than taking the bus in every way.