To let my 7 year old go to the local shop alone?

[SausageBaconCrackling]

Brief context - have 2 DS's a year apart, eldest is 8 and has been to the local shop for milk alone once. There is a relatively busy road to cross, but it is not a main road and there is a lighted crossing so safe to cross.

Wibu to allow the 7 year old to go? Ever since his brother went he has been desperate and he is probably the more sensible of the two.

Am I a terrible mother to even consider it?

No way!

Ds started going to the shop at about 8 iirc. Very quiet road to cross. All the kids walk to school here at 9 so I wanted him to be very confident about going on his own before he started the new school.

It's a no for us, but we also live on a 40mph road (speed often exceeded) with no crossings at all.

no.

Yes in the situation you describe, although I'd follow and watch the first and next 6 time!

I wouldn't, my ds is 7 and I'm not confident he wouldn't speak to strangers. Dd is close in age but younger so maybe when they are 8&9 they can go together as she has more sense about certain things. .

I love these threads because they're so pointless

Only you know your child and only you know your area.

Posters can only really base their decision on their own personal kids and areas.

Some people are pretty chilled and some won't even let their kids travel to senior school without an escort.

I've got three kids and we never had a 'certain age' they had to reach before they were let out alone. This was because they're so individual and became 'road sensible' at different ages.

Yes worra
That is exactly what l would have typed, had l had more energy.
Thank you

My DS is 7. There isn't a chance in hell that I could let him go to the shop alone, whether there's a busy road or not. Nevertheless, I wouldn't judge others that allowed this. I just couldn't allow my DS. I can't see me being comfortable with it in the foreseeable either.

actually child deaths are roads are much lower than in 1970's / 1980's

Agree with Worra - there are too many variables for anyone to say whether this is ok or not. I have an 8yo boy who has been going to the corner shop for about a year or so. He's very careful and sensible, and I don't bat an eyelid about it now. However, I've also got a 6yo girl, and I can't imagine ever being able to trust her to go to the shop on her own. Maybe once she's mid-twenties she might be sensible enough to be let out on her own.

despite the increase in traffic I meant to add

Increase in traffic yes, but also a decrease in the number of children allowed out on their own at younger ages so not comparing like with like.

Correlation is not always causation. It might be, but then again it might not.

Our local shop is about 10 doors up, but you have to go through a "cut" which is where big kids hang out sometimes. If I was sure there was no kids there I would let my 7 year old, but I think she would find it too imtimidating to walk through a gang of teenagers (although I don't think they'd actually do anything iyswim)

I'd send them together

I wouldn't. Probably being over protective but to me 7 is still very little but just starting to do things on their own. I would maybe go to the shop but wait outside and build it up from there.
My Dd is very sensible but it's other people I don't trust. If I lived in a little village and knew the shop keeper well then I might so it does depend.

I did, but only when i asked him to fetch milk/newspaper. Didn't/don't let him run to the shop anytime he wants sweets.