Page 26 | To make the kids walk 3miles to school?

DHdoingmyheadin · 2025-09-02T07:07:58+00:00

Due to ongoing roadworks, the main road through the village to my kids school is closed and will be for c. a month. We are right at the edge of where the roadworks are so we have two options: (A) A 15 mile detour by car, down the road all the traffic is being funnelled down (a main A road that is congested even when the road through the village is open). Which I trialled yesterday, and took me 45 minutes each way. This was with no school traffic as schools go back tomorrow. So I’d be doing at least 90 minutes of driving each morning and DH 90 mins in the afternoon. (B) The kids walk to school and back. 3 miles each way. DH is adamant I can’t possibly expect them to walk. It’s hilly. It’s due to rain. I think they walk. I think it would be insane to drive when it’s literally faster for them to walk. It’s 3 miles. I’m not asking them to swim the channel and then scale Mount Everest. Kids are 12 and 13. AIBU to put my foot down and refuse to drive?

Spies · 02/09/2025 09:41

I feel like there are quite a few posters on this thread over estimating the distance their children walk or the time it takes to walk.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 02/09/2025 09:41

I'd compromise on really bad mornings.
They are old enough to walk on dry mornings.
Can they arrange to leave heavy books in school.
My DD has access to e-books as she cannot manage the heavy bag.

WhatMe123 · 02/09/2025 09:40

It's hard enough to get mine to walk a mile home honestly it'll be awful

Natsku · 02/09/2025 09:40

Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 09:36

Bet that was fun for a 3 year old walking 3 miles and then having a day at nursery.

and then Walking back?

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Walking back too. Switched to biking as soon as they could bike though.

Comedycook · 02/09/2025 09:40

Heartbreaksally · 02/09/2025 09:39

My poor kids have to come on two 3 mile dog walks with me a day and also walk 2 miles to/from school😬(they're 12, 9 and 6)

So they walk ten miles a day every day? Surely this takes hours?

FiveBarGate · 02/09/2025 09:39

I'm really shocked at these answers.

It's a temporary thing during good weather. I wouldn't be spending 90 minutes in a car. I'd rather walk part way with them.

Our pre school was two miles away along the North sea (so wild). We walked it every single day and my three year old managed. It was double for me as had the journey back as well.

I try to walk at least five miles a day but it's often more. There's no way I would drive something that takes almost as long as walking.

It's a bit inconvenient but it's only for the duration of the roadworks and will be less stressful as you know exactly how long something takes on foot.

DressOrSkirt · 02/09/2025 09:39

I'm also going to add that's lots of adults do walk or cycle that far/further to work and back.

Heartbreaksally · 02/09/2025 09:39

My poor kids have to come on two 3 mile dog walks with me a day and also walk 2 miles to/from school😬(they're 12, 9 and 6)

Spies · 02/09/2025 09:38

Natsku · 02/09/2025 09:35

YANBU, my children had to walk 3 miles to nursery, of course they'd manage at 12/13 years old! Though bikes would definitely be better, even if they have to walk them up the steepest parts of the hill it'd still save time and energy. DS's primary school is up a steep hill and even the little 7 year olds are biking up it.

Your nursery aged child walked 3 miles to nursery? That must have taken an eternity?

susiedaisy1912 · 02/09/2025 09:37

mysecretshame · 02/09/2025 09:35

What part is being lazy? Not wanting to drive them?

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Yes. It’s not the kids fault there’s road works. It’s up to the parent to find a solution that works for the kids as well not just herself.

Comedycook · 02/09/2025 09:36

Natsku · 02/09/2025 09:35

YANBU, my children had to walk 3 miles to nursery, of course they'd manage at 12/13 years old! Though bikes would definitely be better, even if they have to walk them up the steepest parts of the hill it'd still save time and energy. DS's primary school is up a steep hill and even the little 7 year olds are biking up it.

Were they in a buggy or on a scooter? Three miles with a nursery age child would takes ages surely

Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 09:36

Natsku · 02/09/2025 09:35

YANBU, my children had to walk 3 miles to nursery, of course they'd manage at 12/13 years old! Though bikes would definitely be better, even if they have to walk them up the steepest parts of the hill it'd still save time and energy. DS's primary school is up a steep hill and even the little 7 year olds are biking up it.

Bet that was fun for a 3 year old walking 3 miles and then having a day at nursery.

and then Walking back?

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 02/09/2025 09:36

It's a 45 minute walk, same as the car journey.
Not too onerous at all, but they could be pampered & driven one way.

Natsku · 02/09/2025 09:35

YANBU, my children had to walk 3 miles to nursery, of course they'd manage at 12/13 years old! Though bikes would definitely be better, even if they have to walk them up the steepest parts of the hill it'd still save time and energy. DS's primary school is up a steep hill and even the little 7 year olds are biking up it.

mysecretshame · 02/09/2025 09:35

susiedaisy1912 · 02/09/2025 09:31

Don’t be lazy op.

What part is being lazy? Not wanting to drive them?

titchy · 02/09/2025 09:35

Gloriia · 02/09/2025 09:34

Sorry if it's been mentioned are where public buses?

No, they shouldn't walk a hilly route for 3miles before school.

Contact your council it is surely ridiculous to have such disruption, haven't they heard of traffic lights?! You know close one lane and let traffic through etc. They really can't just close a main road for a month!

If it’s uphill on the way home it’ll be downhill in the morning - even easier.

titchy · 02/09/2025 09:34

Its a 50 minute walk there and back for a month. No wonder we’re turning into a nation of obese snowflakes! A generation ago no one would have thought twice about that journey!

Team walk here. If there’s a hurricane forecast, maybe drive.

Gloriia · 02/09/2025 09:34

Sorry if it's been mentioned are where public buses?

No, they shouldn't walk a hilly route for 3miles before school.

Contact your council it is surely ridiculous to have such disruption, haven't they heard of traffic lights?! You know close one lane and let traffic through etc. They really can't just close a main road for a month!

crappycrapcrap · 02/09/2025 09:33

I think it’s too far, it’ll take them what an hour at least? One off no problem, every day for a month is a bit mean.

Comedycook · 02/09/2025 09:33

It's not that I think a three mile walk is that arduous but twice a day for a month it's going to get pretty wearing particularly in all weathers and with stuff to carry.

susiedaisy1912 · 02/09/2025 09:31

Don’t be lazy op.

Backfromholareyou · 02/09/2025 09:31

7372RR · 02/09/2025 09:29

Why do you ask??

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Because I often find on mumsnet…. Posters are very gung ho for kids doing long walks but then transpires from other threads that they barely move from their office to home.

zaazaazoom · 02/09/2025 09:31

childofthe607080s · 02/09/2025 08:15

It’s a hour each way - they would need decent rucksack and possibly an extra snack but beyond that it’s very good for them - longer for them shorter for you

yes it’s something I would do myself - it’s rare that there is heavy rain - I guess you need to watch the forecast and get up earlier on those days to take them in

More like 45 mins. I do support walking for Park run with my friend who is very overweight and we always do it sub 55 mins. A healthy 12 year old could do it 45 mins walking. A very fit one could run it in under 20! I often walk to and from work and that's 2.5 miles.

ilovesooty · 02/09/2025 09:30

NotSayingImBatman · 02/09/2025 08:26

Initially, I thought 3 miles sounded a hell of a walk to school, but then I googled my old route to school from my mum’s house and I was walking 2.8 miles each way. Never even occurred to my mum to offer me a lift!

My father used to drop me to school most days on his way to work. When he didn't, I walked. I walked home every day. It was 3.5 miles and yes, I had to carry text books, PE stuff and cookery equipment. I don't see why a 12 and 13 year old can't do it.

Dilemma654 · 02/09/2025 09:30

Mynewnameis · 02/09/2025 08:21

Not where i live
Funded in primary over 2 miles, no Sen
High school funded over 3 miles no sen

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Yet another difference between LAs then.

Funded over 2 miles for yr2 and below only here.
Funded over 3 miles for yr3+.

I don't know about high school or non SEN.

My point still stands that if a LA expects a primary aged child with significant needs to walk 3 miles to school, a 12 yr old without needs certainly should be able to.