Travelling to school in the dark

I wouldn’t be able to meet at bus stop most nights as I’m ferrying other DC to and from clubs. It’s not really the 4.30/5.30 evenings that bother me though as there will be a decent amount of people about. It’s the 7.45 and the 7a

So why can't you do the morning if that's what bothers you?

OP, I personally wouldn't let my dd walk 10 mins in the dark by herself to stand alone at a bus stop.

I do however think it would be nice if someone could walk the opens year 7 child to the bus stop when it is a 7am start . The 7.45am.start will probably be light most of the time anyway

I imagine it isn't possible to meet the bus in the evening and but going with them at least for the 7am starts to see them on the bus might be nice

The times they arrive at 4.30pm will mostly be light as well ( or at least only just getting dark as they get home anyway )

better safe than sorry

But the reality is no matter what you do you are not safe. There has to be a balance between living and existing.

The greatest danger to UK children is a road accident yet we are disproportionately scared of kidnap.

[quote Iloveabourbon2]I don't want to make you feel guilty OP. But people are passing it off as nothing. I know it must be difficult as you have other kids. But is there nobody else that goes to your child's school who lives near by?

Does anybody rember this story of the man trying to kidnapp a young school girl? Posted the link. metro.co.uk/2021/08/14/man-who-kidnapped-and-raped-schoolgirl-in-london-jailed-for-20-years-15088720/[/quote]
Everyone is a potential criminal. Walk in a group if you can - don’t take a short cut don’t ignore someone following you go straight to the nearest house with a light on and phone 999 if you are worrying behaviour, a car follows you or a person or any attempts to get you to talk to them - better safe than sorry

Don’t engage in any conversations - someone says have you seen my puppy, don’t stop, someone says I have a message from your mum, don’t stop etc it’s 4 pm not 9 pm. Oh and attacks happen in broad daily not just at dusk

*Well they're not a teen....

But also, really? We were always jealous of the ones who got a lfit home once it turned dark and cold!*

From the op she says it will be on foot not driving? Which is very different

Don’t get in a car. Don’t stop walking. Ring 999 if concerned and tell the people that they are doing it. Mine know ring 999 first and then me

I don't want to make you feel guilty OP. But people are passing it off as nothing. I know it must be difficult as you have other kids. But is there nobody else that goes to your child's school who lives near by?

Does anybody rember this story of the man trying to kidnapp a young school girl? Posted the link. metro.co.uk/2021/08/14/man-who-kidnapped-and-raped-schoolgirl-in-london-jailed-for-20-years-15088720/

Mine have a mobile phone - always charged. In the dark I have lights - actually brought them for the dogs led clip on lights that flash and they put them their bags and coats. Both coats are black with have large fluorescent triangles on the back of the coat in the Middle of the back - easy to buy as tape off Amazon and then I cut out a triangle and stick it in the middle at the top. All have pin rape alarms they walk with it wrapped around their wristband pull the body off if they want to alarm to go off. Thermal underwear and decent waterproofs and gloves and hats - all go on radiators when they get in for the next morning

Not a teen. Not getting picked up.

A year 7 being met at a bus stop.

Personally no. I don't think anyone should be walking alone in the dark unless absolutely necessary no matter their age. Really doesn't sound safe to me at all.

DC often the only person at bus stop. so that doesn't bother you when its light, why does it bother you when its dark?

But also, really? We were always jealous of the ones who got a lfit home once it turned dark and cold!

I did it at that age. Not London but was coming home from school and not getting in until gone 5 some days.

What kind of jacket and bag do they have? I'd possibly look at something reflective you could add on that won't get them bullied.

Do they know what to do if they get scared and think they're in danger?

I agree of a morning it would be a pita, could you coincide pick up on the evening so you're coming past when they get to the b7s stop?

Are there any classmates living close by, so they could travel together. At the very least.

This sounds unsafe, she is still very young. Perhaps that is clouded for you as you have little ones but year 7 is still just a kid.

Tbh I would imagine teens would get teased for being picked up by their mums?!

No chance would I allow my year 7 child to be travelling alone in the dark.

I would be walking to / collecting from the bus stop.

I'm a Londoner too.

Would have thought this would be the norm in London, it is in my city? My mum insisted I have reflective strips on my bag or my coat. Otherwise, I was travelling in busy areas with streetlights during prime commuter time, it’s not like I was wandering alone down a country lane or something.

Dd1 has been doing the walk to the tube in the dark when necessary since Y7. There are street light and people around, as it’s commuter time. It’s part of going to secondary school in London.