To make the kids walk 3miles to school?

Im in agreement with you OP. That road closure sounds like a nightmare. Walking seems like a sensible option. I walk 45 mins to work across fields and its a lovely way to commute. No road rage or stress. I get to say good morning to the cows. Fabulous. Your teens sound fit and healthy.
I was going to suggest cycling but I see from your other posts that hills are an issue so that's a no go.

Also sounds like lots of kids will be walking so with mates it won't be that bad at all. Although if they are like my teens they couldn't possibly wear a coat/brolly if it rains and will get quite drenched.

Sounds character building 😁

Wait until you hear about Duke of Edinburgh's expeditions...
They're only about 18m off bronze award range...

I'm slightly confused because in an earlier post you said you visit your parents every day in your lunchbreak but how can that be when you are working in London 3 days a week which is a 14 mile round trip on foot plus the train journey?

The Department for Education states that a reasonable distance for children in years 4 to 6 is 3 miles walking distance (each way). If OP's children are age 12 and 13 then there is no reason why they can't walk 3 miles each way. It might actually do them good

The Department for Education states that a reasonable distance for children in years 4 to 6 is 3 miles walking distance (each way). If OP's children are age 12 and 13 then there is no reason why they can't walk 3 miles each way. It might actually do them good

This must be a wind up.

My seven year old did a 10k walk over a hill this weekend. It's a route she's been doing for years and certainly didn't require training.

Unless you have mobility issues this is a very normal distance, especially when broken in two by six hours mostly sitting down

Yes they’ll be sweaty, miserable and tired and if it rains!? Imagine how uncomfortable they’ll be all day

😂😂😂😂

I’ve heard it all now.

”Teenagers need to train to walk an hour and then walk another hour 6 hours later”

They’re 12 and 13 - not 72 and 73! I didn’t “train” for my 3-mile walks to school in the wet Welsh weather and neither did my friends, and nobody ever, ever complained of ankle and knee issues.

This generation is utterly screwed and I know exactly who is to blame.

No, too far..step up to your parental duty, it’s not forever, it’s roadworks. 3 miles is a long way when you’re carrying heavy bags/it’s pouring with rain. It won’t kill you to drive

Yeh I stand by my comment. I did it. At 11 onwards, carrying my rucksack, in hilly terrain and in inclement weather. Anyone can fall and hurt themselves at any time. They’re at no more risk than any other person walking. Presumably they’re as fit and healthy as op said, in which case they’ll be fine. If there’s any injuries then like anyone they’d call for medical help, a luxury which we didn’t have in my day.

Everything I said is quite likely

It really isn't

I get it's a lot of driving but there's a lot of risk here

There REALLY isn't

Weighted packs, boot camp, ACL tears - good galloping grief. Do you suffer from this much fear of catastrophe in other areas of your life as well?

Hyperbole much?

Everything I said is quite likely. Expecting them to do a daily 10k without any preparation over hills and in bad weather with weighted packs is asking for physical injury. Adults get injuries during boot camp when they start that kind of activity. Why do you think kids are immune? Hint: they're not.

An ACL tear will put them on crutches for some time and it's excruciating.

All to save mom a lot of driving. I get it's a lot of driving but there's a lot of risk here.

What if they spontaneously combust? What if a rabid flock of sheep break free and the children get caught up in it, unable to free themselves?!!? Oh the humanity!!

It's not even dark after school, and presumably more food can be carried or bought. Have a lie down.

Adults train for 10k walks for weeks. This is not something these kids can just do from Day 1.

These kids are 12 and 13 and will be carrying heavy loads, on hilly terrain, and in inclement weather. They'll be needing more to eat, more protein, and two pairs of good shoes each. I think doing 10k every day under these conditions is going to lead to back and ankle and knee issues. What if one of them slips and falls and injures themself? What if one sprains an ankle? What if they get shin splints? Is the other supposed to leave them or is help available along their route? Will they be walking in the dark in bad weather?

At that age a council wouldn’t offer free transport as they’re close enough to walk. 3 miles isn’t far. They can walk

I walk six miles a day.
I love it.

I used to walk over and hour to work, and not that many years ago either. I didn't have a car for a long time, and I walked everywhere - to and from work, to the big supermarket (so I had a big rucksack), all over the place. Sometimes the bus but there was really no need.

I really don't see the problem, it was just part of my day. It's also not forever for these kids!

3 miles is the distance that the local authority deem acceptable for a high school age child to walk if you are trying to arrange transport for them. so at that ages i think its fine.

Do you walk 3 miles to get to work? I'd guess probably not. It is customary to drive or catch a bus whilst using leisure time for health related activities.

That's really down to personality. Perhaps these kids are more upbeat.

It also doesn't pour with rain every day so that's good.

Is everyone OK? Acting like this tantamount to child abuse. They're being asked to walk! Presumably together? And for maybe an hour? Good grief, everyone suggesting it's impossible - people do it everyday!

It'll do them good, health-wise - so many kids are so sedentary these days, can see why with all this hand wringing.

Of course it’s fine. It’s also really good for them to get the exercise. A bit of wind or rain won’t kill them (although make sure they have good waterproof coats so they aren’t dripping wet at school all day). Exercise before school is also great for concentration. I used to walk 2.5 miles a day to work and then back again. That was no problem and this is only slightly further.

I used to walk to work 5a.m in the morning 3 miles… it takes an hour, its shattering, i did the job 6months and was on burnout, theres no way kids should walk 3 mile to school,full stopx

I used to walk to work 5a.m in the morning 3 miles… it takes an hour, its shattering, i did the job 6months and was on burnout, theres no way kids should walk 3 mile to school,full stopx