to be concerned about a child age 7 possibly 8 taking self to school?

[LargeLatte]

or is that reasonable?

Child dresses self, lets self out of home, walks maybe half a mile in total to school alone.

Concerned because last week it was -3 degrees and child did not have a coat which is how it came to light that child does this on their own.

Not actually me who saw this but a family member who asked me what I thought and what we should do.

Family member raised it with school and they spoke to child telling child to remember to bring coat next time but otherwise didn't seem concerned.

So its a genuine AIBU? Should I be concerned or is that old enough to be so independent?

[NotGoodNotBad]

Lots walk to school here at that age, I think it's fine depending on the route.

As for parent still asleep while kid gets up and out of the house though, that's another matter and not on. Of course, that's one situation where the coat issue comes in - child will think, "I'm fine, who needs a coat, I'm nice and warm here in the house," and parent would say, "Get your coat on, no discussion."

[Rudolphstolemycarrots]

too young!

[PacificDogwood]

I think the walking-alone-to-school bit depends entirely on the child and where they live.

I walked to school on my own, crossing several roads in a little village in the 70s. Everybody walked to school on their own, beyond the first few days/weeks of school.
At 8 I took a bus into town to attend a music lesson.

My own DSs, now 8 and 9, have been walking on their own for about a year, sometimes together, sometimes seperately or with their respective friends. I walk the same way to get DS3 to nursery, but they do their own thing (so, no, it is not being lazy ).
I do happen to think that it teaches them how to behave in traffic and with other people they encounter. We live in a semi-rural small town, plenty of traffic, but pelican crossing and lollipop person at the busy roads.

The coat thing is hard to judge IMO: I have a jacket refuser who in -3C will be sent TO school with a jacket on, but will have it off as soon as he turns the corner...

I agree if there are concerns re the child in the OP, the school should be informed in writing with reference to child protection procedure. It could be something, it could be nothing...

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

my kids walked to school alone once youngest went into juniors, no biggie

the concern here is the home life, apparent lack of adult input in the mornings

Is there a history of parental illness, or shift working, or maybe disabilty? Is there a disabled sibling, do the parents have caring duties other then for offspring - an elder relative perhaps?

[peaceandlovebunny]

Half a mile really isn't very far...
its a long way when you're four and you know everyone else has parents who take them to and from school.

[RandomMess]

4, we're talking about a 7/8 year old!

[Notcontent]

Children can do things independently and look after themselves from quite a young age, without adult supervision. But just because they can does not mean that they should.

What level of risk we perceive as acceptable depends on our generation and where we live.

My dd is 6. She can dress herself, get herself a snack, would find her way to school. But I feel my role is to be there if she needs me. She if very independent but there is no way she will be walking to school alone until she is at least 10.