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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To make DSs walk home from the cinema

48 replies

Frontier · 18/08/2014 13:44

I'm on a mission to make sure they get some exercise and fresh air everyday this holiday. Not easy as neither of them are at all sporty and given the choice your spend the whole time in front of a screen.

So far, we've managed it one way or another but tomorrow they've persuade me to take them to the cinema. I don't want to see the film so plan to leave them there. They're expecting me to collect them but I am considering letting them walk.

It's 2 miles, good footpaths, busy area etc. They're 11 & 13.

If they walk I get the whole afternoon to myself they get approx. 45 min stroll in the fresh air when they'll chat and interact rather than either being shut in their rooms with music and/or books or downstairs on different consoles. AIBU to think actually it's an inspired idea of mine

I need to take them because I've booked tickets and whilst I'm sure they could manage to sort it out themselves we don't go often so they might struggle and I want to know they got in OK.

OP posts:

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 18/08/2014 15:17

Assuming you are funding the tickets too, absolutely "let" them walk home. It's how you sell it

Original poster

Frontier · 18/08/2014 15:17

This is why I love/hate MN How can a boring thread about a short walk home from the pictures be contentious enough to bring judgement about using the car at all, debate about superhuman walking speeds and the in equal treatment of boys v girls?! All in less than 30 posts

There's a lot to be said for actual real human interaction but this just doesn't happen in RL

OP posts:

DownByTheRiverside · 18/08/2014 15:20

I'm prepared to be completely wrong.

milbracat · 18/08/2014 15:21

I can't think for the life of me why it wouldn't?

Given the tendency of many parents to overestimate the risk of children being accosted by strangers and the general expectation that boys should be able to fend for themselves than girls of the same age.

DownByTheRiverside · 18/08/2014 15:22

I can be certain that DD is as free to walk around as DS. I have to stop worrying and deal with her emancipation as best I can. So far, so good.
I've always given them both the same advice about being safe around and about.

DownByTheRiverside · 18/08/2014 15:24

And I now have a research project to undertake with both of mine; distance, time, location, terrain, use of energy drinks...

5madthings · 18/08/2014 15:32

God yes let them walk! My school run is a two mile walk each way, so the madthings walk that every school day and I end up doing 12 miles on Dd's pre school days. It's about a 40 min walk.

I run and can do 10km in about an hour. My pace is 9-10mins for a mile. So walking it will take longer than 20mins. On days I have been late I have jogged/walked the school run in 23mins... Yes I timed it! And at a fast pace it's doable in 30 mins but with kids it's a 40min walk.

whois · 18/08/2014 15:53

Down, there is no way your DCs walk at 6mph! That is running speed - that would get you around a 10k course in an hour, which is a pretty respectable time

I'm a fast walker and there is no way I can manage 6 miles an hour!

Mrsjayy · 18/08/2014 16:00

My girls were walking everywhere at that age fgs it is a few miles on broad day light op yanbu its fine for teenagers to get themselves about I dont drive so I dont under stand all this lifting and laying of teenagers

mausmaus · 18/08/2014 16:06

go for it and enjoy your time alone

WorraLiberty · 18/08/2014 16:13

I don't know about that.

But I do know far too many of my DCs friends wouldn't even consider walking a mile, due to the fact they've been driven everywhere for most of their lives.

5madthings · 18/08/2014 16:19

Yep worra I know lots of kids like that as well.

The madthings walk everywhere, and I have some friends the same but I have lost count of the number of people who actually seem horrified that my kids walk the two miles to School, in the rain and snow etc as well! And I was told I was cruel for making my four year old walk it or bike/scooter it!

Given the traffic the School run actually can take just as long by car and as we have a diesel car lots of short journeys esp in winter where the engine doesn't heat up so well are crap for the car as well as the environment.

We walk or bike.

Original poster

Frontier · 18/08/2014 16:28

That's exactly why I asked in the first place worra/madthings. People simply don't walk and yet a walk is one of life's simple pleasures.

A friend recently asked me to "babysit" her 13yo while she was at work. I said I'd send my 13yo over to collect him on foot (so he'd know the way) and she was horrified and insisted on dropping him off and picking him up. Was about 1.5 miles on a perfectly pleasant summer's day.

Ds has recently started spreading his wings a bit and goes to knock for school friends who live up to 3 miles away, on foot or by bike. The friends' parents often insist on driving him home which makes me It's like they couldn't be clearer in their disapproval of me, although I'm sure (hope) they're just being kind.

OP posts:

TheHorseHasBolted · 18/08/2014 16:40

I think it's a great idea and I wish my husband had been as un-overprotective as you when our children were that age!

5madthings · 18/08/2014 16:50

Oh yes I have had people trying to insist on giving the madthings lifts!

Ds3(9) can so the school journey on his own now on his bike and does if the little ones are poorly etc and so many parents are horrified I let him. He is a sensible boy so I know he is fine. I wouldn't let ds2 do it on his own until he was older as he is more of a livewire! But so many parents won't let their children do even short journeys on their own. I know high school kids not allowed to do a ten/fifteen minute walk on their own.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 18/08/2014 17:03

"Babysit" a 13yo during the day? I used to bike 5 miles to a stables when I was 13, 3 miles of it alongside a dual carriageway. And 5 miles back after spending the day as free labour for the stables hoping to cadge a free ride. Parents didn't bat an eyelid or buy me decent lights come to think of it!

Original poster

Frontier · 18/08/2014 17:09

That's what the " " were for Tread, She just wanted him to have somewhere to go so he wasn't home alone for 10 hours, which is why I thought the walk over with Ds would be a good idea.

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 18/08/2014 17:13

YY I've had that too OP

My DS's friend's Mum used virtually try to force my DS into her car, if she saw him during his 15 minute walk to school!

Mrsjayy · 18/08/2014 17:18

My dds friends mum sometime speeps at the door to pick dd up as the poor soul has to get the bus sometimes and has been known to get her dd to text her to see if she wants a lift to the long mile to school

Mrsjayy · 18/08/2014 17:20

Dd used to hide from another friends mum on the way to school she used to crawl along saying its raining get in th e car

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 18/08/2014 17:32

I've had DD's schoolfriends parents hold up traffic in London [which is frankly brave] trying to convince me to jump in the car with DD [4] who is merrily scooting along the pavement on the 1mile walk to school. If it's tipping down fair enough though there is still no booster seat for her, but otherwise ????? It's as though by walking there, I am making a social comment on the fact that they choose to drive and I must be rescued I can't face the faff of finding parking

Mrsjayy · 18/08/2014 17:41

I know these loons are being kind hearted but it is silly

BomChickaMeowMeow · 18/08/2014 17:44

Dropping them off and letting them walk home seems a reasonable ask at their age.

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