Is a mile too long...

[FedUpWithItAllWeep]

For an August born y1 (so only just 5) to walk to and from school?

We are finding the school run a bit of a nightmare to be honest. I'm usually on foot and my husband on a bike, we also have a 2yo DC. Last year we used a double bike trailer, I would use it as a pram and DH would tow it back. But DC1 is too big for it now as he's already as tall as a six year old!

I could get the bus partway down so DC is only doing the walk once but a) want to avoid the bus at the mo, b) DC seems OK on the walk down but more tired on the way back and I tend to do drop off. DH cannot get on the bus with his bike either..

DC does seem very tired at the mo, but we haven't done a full week of school yet (thank you crappy covid testing) so we have only done this a couple of times!

So, do we think that DC will just get used to a mile walk there and back or am I a cruel cruel mum?

Our school is nearly a mile from our house and I haven't thought twice about getting my reception aged child to walk/scoot there and back. My 2yo joins in too, although I also bring a buggy for her in case we need to rush. It's not far, he'll be fine.

A mile is nothing! I don’t know why you would even think it was. It’s less than a 20 minute walk. Good exercise. No wonder we have an obesity problem in this country if people think that a mile is a long walk to school.

My children did this kind of distance at preschooler age - they were fine - if we had to slow down we did . Primary school was closer to us .

Some scooters can fit on a buggy, or a buggy board?

I think it's a possibility @delatron because when my 5 year old gets over tired it results in night terrors for him, which is a fun hour for me at 11pm I can tell you. These have started reoccurring since we started back at school and since I don't know anyone else that walks that far thought I'd ask Mumsnet to check I wasn't pushing him too hard.

Thanks to all that have reassured me that it's fine and his stamina will build up. Walking really is the only option at the moment as it is always the other parent that does pick up to who dropped off so we need to be able to leave any mode of transport there for the picker upper to use on the way back iyswim.

How do you know the night terrors are directly linked to walking a mile after school?

Mine had night terrors at that age. It’s very common.

Sorry but a mile really isn’t far. I think I was just taken aback that someone would think it was. It’s the perfect distance to walk to school and for them to get some fresh air and exercise. Much better than driving a mile or getting the bus.

I think it's quite far.

If it's relatively flat, could you get an adult scooter? This one has an attachment you can get to add a standing platform for a toddler, so you'd need another scooter for 5 year old but if you got a lightweight one you could just carry it for now. DH could still pick up with a bike seat? or another scooter?

www.decathlon.co.uk/p/town-9-ef-v2-adult-scooter-petrol-blue/_/R-p-170604?mc=8494833&c=BLUE_TURQUOISE

scroll down to see toddler attachment platform at the bottom of the page.

I am aware that night terrors are very common, we've been dealing with them on and off for years. They started when he dropped his final nap, I did a fair amount of research and being overtired is a significantly contributing factor and is what I have noticed is a trigger for him.

I started the week thinking he should be fine walking, but after a night terror every night three nights in a row I'm questioning that view so I asked.

It maybe a stupid question, but we should never be judgemental about people asking stupid questions. Because if they don't know the answer but are too scared to ask then they risk doing something wrong instead. Much worse outcome.

So I don't need to know that you are "taken aback" by my stupidity. I posted in chat not AIBU.

Your husband could get a seat/trailer for his bike if he does pick up?

It might just be being back at school that’s causing the over tiredness, rather than the walk. It’s hard getting back into the school routine where he needs to pay attention and concentrate and follow institutional rules and practices.

Tiredness from a bit of exercise (it really isn’t an absurd distance for a child his age) tends to be more benign than tiredness from adjusting to school.

Can you get a strap/pull along for the scooter and carry it after if u can
The micro ones split in half ..

I don’t think I said it was a stupid question. And yes you’re right this isn’t AIBU. But you did ask for opinions.

I think they get mentally tired from school rather than a physical tiredness. It’s probably that causing the night terrors. Mine are exhausted from just being back at school after being away so long.

I don’t know, I just think kids are sat at a desk for most of the day so a walk and fresh air at the beginning and end is the day is a good thing. I guess it’s individual perception. I think a 15-20 minute walk to school is perfect but I see others disagree. He will build up stamina though and it will have a positive effect on his health.

Ah sorry misunderstood the split pick up/drop off
Maybe the person doing pick up takes the scooter with strap although I think there's away u can get 2 seats on a bike....so he can mix modes ds was a nightmare for tiredness in reception.., how about a banana/something sweet to give him a boost to get him home .. if he's not sleeping well focus on the pick up being the easiest

It's back to school exhaustion. In a few weeks he will adjust. My DD had a nap on the school bus some days.

Scooters could help with walk home.

It's only a 20 mins walk although that isn't accounting for a small child's ramblings, and stopping to inspect every leaf on the pavement.

Children in Africa walk miles to school, on their own which I'm not recommending

I don't think it is too far for a just 4 year old, as long as you're not marching at a tremendous pace!

From 4 years old my son was walking a mile to school and back again with his childminder. There and back in the morning (2 miles total) and again in the afternoon! Some afternoons he'd squeeze into a buggy if it was particularly cold/wet, but he normally walked as he didn't really fit in the buggy.

He's a very strong walker now, at nearly 6 years old. Walks for far longer than his older siblings without moaning, and doesn't seem affected by starting it early.

Can you get a step for him like this www.google.com/search?q=pushchair+step+for+toddler&oq=pushchair+step&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l5.8835j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

No, you didn't outright say it @Delatron, but I inferred that you thought it was a stupid question from the phrase "I don’t know why you would even think it was". I asked for opinions not judgment, which I felt that was.

However, I do agree with the sentiment of the last para of your last post, daily exercise before and after school does seem like a good thing when they are stuck in all day. I just want to find the balance.

It seems that most 5 year olds can, so we will continue. I can live happy in the knowledge that he'll improve and I'm not expecting too much of him!

No, my end of July DS has always walked just over a mile to school (except on swimming days when they get picked up in the car).

Give him a snack as soon as he comes out of school. Hopefully it will give him an extra energy boost to help him home.

My DCs always walked to school - just over a mile door to door. Neither of them were five until the summer term AFTER they started. Before DS went to school he went IN the buggy as we walked his sister to school and then from about three years old he would walk home (slowly) so by the time he started school the walk was a piece of cake!